NEWS

TDP seeks ouster of YSR govt

By Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad
February 25, 2005

Telugu Desam Party on Friday demanded the dismissal of Y S Rajasekhar Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh holding it responsible for what it termed as "state- sponsored murder" of legislator Paritala Ravi.

The party said it did not have faith in the CBI probe into Ravi's death. It asked for a sitting Supreme Court judge to enquire into the death. 

TDP members staged a dharna in front of the Andhra Pradesh assembly speaker's chambers, protesting against the adjournment of the House without completing the debate on the murder of Ravi.

As soon as panel chairman C Narsi Reddy adjourned the House, the TDP members rushed into corridors opposite the speaker's chambers and squatted there for 20 minutes, holding placards and shouting slogans seeking the dismissal of the Y S Rajashekar Reddy government.

They alleged the murder of Paritala Ravi in Anantapur town on January 24 was state sponsored.

"We want justice," they shouted.

They claimed that the government and the ruling party wanted to prolong the debate, as they were unable to defend themselves on the issue.

As the dharna went on in the corridors, speaker K R Suresh Reddy called TDP deputy leaders T Devender Goud and Yanamala Ramakrishnudu to discuss the matter.

The TDP leaders met the speaker and other TDP members called off the protest and left the premises.

Addressing a press conference later, TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu accused the ruling Congress of procrastinating the debate and evading the reply to the discussion because it had many things to "hide."

He said the Congress had no sincerity on the issue. He claimed that the Congress members, including chief minister and Ministers, did not condemn Paritala Ravi's murder.

At a separate press conference, Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah and other ministers accused Chandrababu Naidu of attempting to run the state assembly as per his whims.

WITH PTI INPUTS

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email