Ministers Flay Gupta's Comments

4 Cabinet Ministers, on Wednesday, took strong exception to the remarks made by CPI national leader Gurudas Dasgupta, when the Communist leader had stated that the State was effectively being run by New Delhi since Chief Minister K Rosaiah was dependent on the Congress high command for making decisions.

Talking to media persons, Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao, Tourism and I & PR Minister Geetha Reddy and Higher Education Minister D Sridhar Babu together, and Agriculture Minister N Raghuveera Reddy in a separate press conference, criticised the comments by the veteran Communist leader.

Gurudas Dasgupta had, on Tuesday, stated that Rosaiah was always seen in New Delhi and that this was proof that the Congress high command was dictating terms to those at the helm of affairs here.

The Cabinet ministers, reacting sharply to Dasgupta's words, said that they would continue to take advice and guidance from New Delhi whenever a need arose and that there was nothing wrong in this.

They also stated that Central schemes were also being implemented here with funds coming from the Centre, and that the State government was at an advantageous position to coordinate with New Delhi.

Geetha Reddy also brushed aside the remarks made by Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, in which he had accused her of sidetracking her portfolio and always indulging in replies to the Opposition's comments. She said that she needed no advice from Naidu.

At a separate press briefing, Agriculture Minister N Raguveera Reddy also reacted to Gupta's comments, and said that it is quite normal for the State government to take advice from New Delhi for effective implementation of various development schemes.

"We are proud to follow New Delhi's suggestions, and Delhi's decision is 100% final", he said.

"It is not fiction. It is true and necessary. Do they not follow their politburo direction and diktat?" Raghuveera Reddy asked.

"The CPI State leaders also depend on their politburo for help in taking decisions", the Agriculture Minister said, and wondered whether the Communists were depending on Naidu for issues and publicity.

Stating sarcastically that the Communists were always toeing the line of China and Russia, Raghuveera Reddy said that they have no locus standi to talk against the Congress government.

Courtesy: INN