The Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party was much more sensitive than the Telugu Desam Party.
"We are softer than you were", was the message sent by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to fasting Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday during his public speech at Jadcherla in Mahabubnagar district.
Praising the Congress for its soft corner, Kiran Reddy pointed out that the government had deputed a team of ministers to urge Naidu to end his fast, whereas the former Chief Minister had not even reacted in 11 days when former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had taken up a hunger strike along with 90 MLAs demanding withdrawal of electricity charges.
Stating that the government was making concrete efforts for the welfare of rain-hit farmers in the state, Kiran Reddy called on Naidu, who was on a hunger strike demanding better package for farmers since last Friday, to withdraw his fast considering his serious health condition, and cooperate with the government by giving valuable suggestions.
Talking to media persons after unveiling former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's statue at Jadcherla, the Chief Minister said that Naidu's hunger fast for farmers' cause was recognized by everyone. He asked Naidu to cooperate with the government and withdraw his fast.
Recalling an incident during Naidu's tenure, he said that the late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had staged a hunger fast with 90 MLAs for revoking hike on current charges for 11 days. However, Naidu had not responded properly to his agitation, he said. Unlike TDP, the Congress was soft on Naidu's agitation and had responded favourably by sending a 3-member ministers team to withdraw his agitation.
"If the government limits permit, I would release more aid for farmers' welfare", he stated.
Kiran Reddy said that the government had spent Rs. 8,000 crore on farm sector in 5 years, and Rs. 6,600 crore to take up relief operations in flood and rain-hit districts, and added that it had also rescheduled Rs. 12,500 crore loans for flood-affected people in the various districts, and waived off Rs. 400 crore interest on farmers' loans.
The Chief Minister said that the Congress had a good foundation in the state and if any one quit, there would be no damage to the party.
"No one can collapse the Congress party. The grassroots level workers are the pillars for the party, not leaders and their charisma," he pointed out.
Meanwhile, the police took TDP MLAs into custody when they tried to obstruct the convoy of the Chief Minister at Jadcherla.
Courtesy: INN