KCR promises Krishna water to Palamur

Grand Alliance leaders N.Chandrababu Naidu (TDP), K.Chandrasekhara Rao (TRS), and K.Narayana (CPI) at the second and final Mahakutami public meeting
VV Balakrishna
First Published : 10 Apr 2009 03:46:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 10 Apr 2009 10:36:20 AM IST

MAHABOOBNAGAR: In the absence of his own party manifesto, Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) president K Chandrasekhara Rao devoted much time to explaining the salient features of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) manifesto at the second and final joint meeting of the Grand Alliance held here today.

While Rao frequently referred to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu as “Babu Garu’’, Naidu appealed to voters to vote for Chandrasekhara Rao.

The TRS chief explained the Cash Transfer Scheme (CTS) and the promise of colour TVs -- the two main highlights of the TDP manifesto -- at a wellattended public meeting at the Boys Jr College grounds in town. All too aware that his chances in the Mahaboobnagar Lok Sabha contest hinged crucially on the TDP’s strong vote bank, Rao was careful to heap praise on Naidu again today, and drew loud applause when he described the latter as a future chief minister.

And Naidu responded by saying: “Both of us will develop Mahaboobnagar.’’ The TRS chief repeatedly praised TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu’s nine-year rule as one that witnessed “all-round develompent’’, adding: “YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who stepped into Naidu’s shoes, only used the wealth created by the latter for corruption.’’ Of course, it is another matter that before joining hands with the TDP, Rao used to pour nothing but scorn on Naidu and the TDP.

Charging AICC president Sonia Gandhi with hoodwinking the people of Telangana, Rao said he had now reposed faith in the TDP. “Respecting the sentiments of the people of Telangana, the TDP politburo adopted a resolution to fulfil all constitutional requirements needed for a separate State,’’ he said.

The TRS chief assured voters that if he was elected he would mobilise around Rs 3,000 crore in funds from the Centre to bring Krishna waters to the district. “I will solve all your problems with the help of Babu garu,’’ Rao assured.

For his part, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu said all irrigation projects in the district would be completed. He assured four percent reservations to Muslims, 20 kg free rice, an exclusive bank for youth with a corpus of Rs 2,000 crore and PRC with 40 per cent fitment for government employees.

Terming the Congress corrupt and Praja Rajyam inefficient, Naidu said both were equally dangerous for democracy and he dared them to tell the people CTS was not required.

“CTS has created panic among Congress leaders,’’ he maintained.

CPI State secretary K Narayana, CPM State secretariat member Veeraiah and candidates of both TDP and TRS were present