YSRCP Flays TDP Laxity In Cyclone Relief Measures

Appealing to the people to contribute generously to the YSR Foundation - Sakshi Relief Fund to provide succour to the Hudhud-affected people, the YSR Congress has said that there has been laxity on part of the TDP government in providing relief and rehabilitation work, as its focus was more on publicity than on working on the ground.

"The State did not brace for, or show any preparedness to minimize the loss to be caused by, the cyclone, though there were reports well in advance that Hudhud would cross the coast at Visakhapatnam. Even after the damage was done, the Chief Minister moved only after the Prime Minister showed concern and announced his schedule to visit the affected areas. Chandrababu Naidu has been concentrating more on publicity and prolonged speeches than on taking steps to restore normalcy and quicken the relief and rehabilitation measures," party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu told reporters on Thursday.

The "most experienced Chief Minister" had utilized most of his time in lengthy press and review meetings being telecast live instead of directing the officials and monitoring the relief work, Rambabu alleged. The time he spent on publicity was much higher than the time he spent with the people or the officials.

Y S Jaganmohan Reddy was in Vizag only to help the people in getting quicker relief, while the Chief Minister had given priority to instigating people against Reddy in the Saraswathi Power Plant case, Rambabu said.

He dismissed as biased and baseless the news appearing in a section of press quoting social media comments that Hudhud was a result of Y S Vijayamma being defeated at Visakhapatnam. "We cannot be held responsible for someone's mischief, and we distance ourselves from such reports," he said. (INN)