Hyderabad, Sept 24: Telugu Desam Party president
Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Monday formally announced that he would undertake a
Padayatra across the State from October 2.
Addressing
the meeting of state-level leaders of TDP at NTR Trust Bhavan, Naidu said that
the Padyatra would be launched from Hindupur constituency in Anantapur district
on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. He said that padyatra was aimed
at understanding the problems being faced by the people at the ground level and
later the feedback would be used to pressurise the government to solve those
problems. The padyatra will be named as Jana Chaitanya Yatra, Vastunna Yatra or
Mee Kosam Yatra. However, a decision in this regard will be taken later.
Naidu
slammed the Centre and State Governments for their 'anti-people' policies. Condemning
the Centre's nod for Foreign Direct Investment in the retail sector, he said
that institutions like Walmart were facing opposition in the United State
itself. However, he said that the Congress party was showing keen interest in
bringing such institutions in our country. He also opposed the proposed
privatisation of Navratna companies in the public sector.
Criticising
the government for its failure to solve the energy crisis, the TDP chief said
while the cities and towns were facing daily power cuts of about eight hours,
the rural areas were not getting power supply for even 18 hours. He said that
the government has not only failed on all fronts, but has also lost the courage
to face the opposition parties on public issues.
Speaking
about the hike in RTC bus fares, Naidu said that although the State would gain
about Rs 800 crore through VAT and other surcharges due to hike in diesel
prices, it has forced the RTC to pass on the additional burden to the common
man. Demanding that the government immediately roll-back the hike in RTC fares
and power surcharges, he warned that the TDP would intensify its agitation
against the government's 'anti-people' policies. (INN)
