Naidu Arrested In Padayatra

The police, on Tuesday, arrested Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, who was on a padayatra from NTR Trust Office to Vidyut Soudha, protesting the government's proposal to increase the power tariff and unscheduled power cuts in the state.

In a press statement after his arrest, the TDP chief stated that the government can not burden the common man, who is already struggling with skyrocketing prices of essential commodities.

He said that the government must bear the additional tariff burden of Rs. 16,000 crores.

He criticized the government as to have been a complete failure in dealing with power crisis in the state, and condemned it for resorting to the arrest of leaders who, he said, stage dharnas peacefully.

He also slammed the state for its failure to supply 9 hours of power to farmers, which the Congress had promised in its election manifesto.

Apart from its failure to generate power, Naidu said, the government owes Rs. 20,000 crore to power companies.

He demanded the government to dedicate the lion's share of the budget to tackle the power crisis in the state and supply quality power to farmers.

Meanwhile, protesting Naidu's arrest, TDP leaders Errabelli Dayakar Rao, G Muddu Krishnama Naidu and M Venkateswara Rao staged a sit-in dharna on the road.

They were also arrested at the Vidyut Soudha. (INN)