Pradesh Congress President Botsa Satyanarayana, on Sunday, demanded that TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu apologise to the people of Vizianagaram district for reportedly comparing them with Pakistanis.
Talking to reporters at his residence, Botsa said that Naidu has been making objectionable remarks against Congress leaders and the people of Vizianagaram, ever since he was denied permission by the police to hold a dharna against the liquor syndicate there. He said that Naidu must apologise for his remarks.
Botsa denied Naidu's allegations that the Congress was trying to stop the Telugu Desam Party from holding protests in Vizianagaram against the liquor mafia.
He claimed that the Congress applied for permission on 14 April, to hold protests from 21 ro 23 April, against the involvement of TDP leaders in the liquor syndicate. He said that the TDP leaders had approached the local police on 15 April, seeking permission to hold protests on the same dates. He alleged that the TDP leaders deliberately tried to sabotage the Congress' protest by applying for the same dates.
The PCC president said that Vizianagaram has been the most peaceful district in the state, and that the TDP was trying to disturb the law and order in the district. He sought to know why Naidu was so particular about holding protests in Vizianagaram, skipping his home district of Chittoor.
Botsa alleged that Naidu was the "most corrupt politician in the state" and that this fact was endorsed by his father-in-law and TDP founder, the late N T Rama Rao.
He said Naidu must "behave" like the president of a political party, and stop making objectionable statements against the ruling party.
Regarding the by-elections to be held in 18 Assembly seats, Botsa said that except for three to four seats, aspirants have been finalised for the other constituencies. He said that the list of Congress candidates would be announced after getting the High Command's approval. (INN)