Botsa Denies Misuse Of Official Status For Wedding

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Wednesday offered to apologise publicly if opposition parties prove their charges of his misuse of official machinery during his daughter's marriage.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Botsa said that the opposition, especialy the Telugu Desam and YSR Congress parties, were levelling baseless charges against him. He claimed that no official machinery was used during his daughter's marriage in Vizianagaram, and that he had never abused his official status. Stating that he was ready to apologise publicly if found to be in the wrong, he challenged the opposition parties to prove the allegations against him.

Botsa also slammed the media for carrying "baseless" reports about his removal from the post of PCC president along with those about the replacement of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He described the reports as media speculation. He also claimed that certain Congress leaders with vested interests were also triggering such rumours in the media.

The PCC president also defended the state government for its role in dealing with cyclone Nilam. He said that it was due to the efforts of the government that the loss of human lives could be minimised.

He pointed out that although the Met department had issued an alert for three districts, cyclone Nilam left its impact on 10 districts. He said that the government has been taking all steps to help victims, especially affected farmers. He added that Congress president Sonia Gandhi directed Congress leaders and workers to participate in the relief and rehabilitation works in their respective areas.

Botsa also said that the party's membership drive, which was stopped due to cyclone Nilam, would be resumed from November 14. (INN)