Naidu Demands 33% Quota For Women

Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu, on Saturday, stated that his party would continue its fight for a law providing 33% reservation for women in law-making bodies.

Addressing a Telugu Mahila convention at NTR Trust Bhavan, Naidu alleged that the government was not in a position to get a nod for the Women's Bill in Parliament.

Stating that the credit for women's employment goes to his party, he said that the Congress had forced women into debt-traps instead of improving their financial position. He criticised the government for "cheating" women in the name of interest-free loans, and for not allotting any funds for that welfare.

Naidu also slammed the government for making the Women's Commission defunct.

Also, demanding that the government remove belt shops, he called upon women to fight against the liquor menace, since it spoils their economic condition. He asked why the government did not sack Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana for his alleged nexus with the liquor syndicate despite initiating action against Excise officials.

In addition, Naidu said that Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana has no moral right to continue on his post, as he owns 31 liquor shops.

Alleging that irregularities had taken place in the awarding of Polavaram tenders, Naidu said that he would be ready for a discussion on the issue if the government places the file concerned in front of Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar.

Slamming the Telangana Rashtra Samithi for targeting the TDP in this matter, Naidu asked the TRS to explain why it was not targeting the YSR Congress Party and the Congress.

Naidu said the Congress wants to eliminate TDP by colluding with the TRS and the YSR Congress. However, no one could defeat the TDP, he stated.

He said the Centre should be held responsible for the Telangana imbroglio and for delaying the issue in order to buy time.

The TDP chief also demanded said the government reconsider its decision over the appointment of information commissioners. (INN)