Congress Denies Influencing CBI

AICC secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar, on Tuesday, dismissed the Telugu Desam Party's allegations that the Congress is preventing the CBI from arresting Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in the disproportionate assets case.

Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti condemned the charges made by TDP MLAs Devineni Uma, V Durga Prasad and M Lingareddy, that the Congress was mounting pressure on the CBI to prevent it from arresting Jagan. Stating that the CBI was an independent investigation agency, he said that no one could influence its functioning.

Meanwhile, Ponguleti expressed confidence that the Congress would emerge victorious in all the constituencies in the ensuing by-elections. He added that the welfare schemes launched by former chief minister YSR belonged to the Congress.

However, he said that the law would take its own course, when asked about the corruption that allegedly took place during YSR's regime.

Government whip E Anil came down heavily on YSR official spokesman Ambati Rambabau for criticising Revenue Minister N Raghuveera reddy and Roads & Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasad Rao. Condemning Ambati's personal targeting, he advised him to "mind his language", and warned him of "serious consequences" if he fails to do so.

Anil also asked Ambati Rambabau to make constructive suggestions to the government instead of leveling baseless charges. He alleged that Ambati Rambabu himself had indulged in corruption as chairman of APIIC, and that he had accumulated wealth to the tune of Rs. 100 crore.

Government chief whip Gandra Venkataramana Reddy dismissed charges of the YSR Congress and the TDP that the government was neglecting farmers' problems in the state. Reiterating that the Congress was committed to the welfare of farmers, he said that government has been bearing a burden of Rs. 3,100 crore towards the power subsidy for farmers.

Apart from waiving farm loans, the government was also providing farmers interest-free loans to the tune of Rs. one lakh, he said. (INN)