Is Naidu For FDI, Or Against It?: YSRCP

YSR Congress has demanded that the TDP make its stand clear on the FDI in retail sector as there was lot of ambiguity in their pattern of voting, exhibiting conflict of interests.

"With the party showing double standards in its pattern of voting in the Rajya Sabha on the FDI issue, it has sent confusing signals. And Chandrababu Naidu should declare it openly if he is totally against FDI," party advisor, D A Somayajulu told reporters here on Monday.

A conflict of interest is very clear in the case of N Chandrababu Naidu because, as a politician he has been criticising FDI, but his family has business interests as they own Heritage Foods Limited.

"Keeping this in view, we demand that Naidu make it clear if he supports FDI or rejects it outright. If he is against FDI, he should give an assurance that his family will not be a party to FDI in Heritage Foods" he said, adding that the company is scouting for a strategic alliance with offshore companies and looking for foreign investments.

There have been confusing signals from the TDP and Heritage Foods, and it is absolute necessary for Chandrababu Naidu to be categorical about his stand on FDI, party wise and his family business wise as well, declared Somayajulu.

The blame game shuttling between MPs and TDP should be stopped, and this can only be done when Naidu tells that his party opposes FDI and that his family will not invite foreign investments in any form, he said. "The issue becomes more serious with a top official of Heritage Foods giving an interview to a financial daily and making it clear that they have decided to look for foreign companies in subsidiaries or other forms." he said.

The drought relief issue has not been taken up by Naidu at any point of time, but YSR, after coming to power had waived off loans to farmers. During Naidu's regime there was a spate of suicides due to his wrong policies. YSR has brought in special packages to farmers, he added.

He also flayed the false propaganda being unleashed by Chandrababu Naidu on YSR's attitude towards tenant farmers, and asserted that it was only during YSR regime that farmers benefited the most. Andhra Pradesh farmers got a lion's share of Central funds during YSR regime, he said.

He should also clarify how he will waive crop loans and term loans as he has been promising, as this is under the purview of Prime Minister, and we doubt if he can assess the quantum of farmer loans, Somayajulu added. (INN)