YSR Congress Slams Naidu's "Wasteful" Singapore Visit

Slamming the Andhra Pradesh TDP government for its lavish spending on the Chief Minister's visit to Singapore by a chartered flight at a time when the State was reeling under a severe economic crisis, the YSR Congress demanded to know the real purpose of the visit, and that the Centre intervene and probe the itinerary details.

"The State has issued a GO clearing the tour, and an amount of Rs 70 lakhs was given as advance to book the special flight. While the Chief Minister and his entourage left by the chartered flight, another flight followed it laden with entrepreneurs and Chandrababu Naidu's close business associates.

"At a time when the State is facing a severe financial crunch and funds are being raised to build the new capital, the cyclone-affected people are still in the lurch and the poll promises are pending, the Chief Minister has been on trip to address a gathering at the little-known South Asian Studies' annual function," party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu told reporters on Wednesday.

He alleged that Chandrababu Naidu had an affinity for Singapore as he had many business interests there. Tehelka had reported that he owned business establishments, and his coterie was following him to that country all the time, Rambabu said, adding that the Centre should intervene and investigate the actual reason of his frequent visits to the country as there were allegations of proxy business deals.

Despite all the trips to Singapore, Naidu could not bring a single major project to the State, Rambabu pointed out. While Y S Jaganmohan Reddy as the leader of the Opposition was touring the entire State, the Chief Minister was frequenting Singapore for personal reasons and not official, he alleged. This should be probed by a competent Central agency, he demanded.

"The TDP government should shun such lavish spending and concentrate more on the pressing problems of rehabilitation of the Hudhud-affected families, the State capital and other important issues," he said. (INN)