YSR Congress says backward classes are not with Naidu

Hyderabad, July 16 (ANI): The YSR Congress on Monday criticized Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N. Chandrababu Naidu for claiming to be the champion of the backward classes cause.

It also took strong objection to Telangana Rashtriya Samiti lawmaker KTR for his uncharitable remarks against Y.S. Vijayamma.

"Chandrababu Naidu claiming to be a champion of backward classes is ridiculous as his past haunts him, where he discouraged agriculture, farmers, artisans and other tradesmen. He shelved the welfare schemes launched by NTR and described agriculture as a useless profession," said YSR Congress spokesperson Gattu Ramachandra Rao."Trying to project himself as a champion of BCs, forgetting his hi-tech schemes and ignoring ground realities will not go (down) well with the people, as his schemes had a telling effect in the two previous general elections, and Chandrababu Naidu has no moral right to criticise YSR on BC issue," he added. Gattu Ramachandra Rao further said over Rs.26,000 crores was disbursed to BC students under fees reimbursement scheme during YSR term and there was no such scheme in TDP rule.

"Over 20 lakh Backward Classes were given houses when YSR-led Congress was in power while only sycophants were given houses by the TDP leader, he said. This apart BCs immensely benefitted through YSR welfare schemes and nearly 20 lakh BCs benefitted out of Aargyasri scheme alone," he said.

"The BC welfare budget was just Rs.67 crores in TDP rule, while it was increased to Rs.660 crores by YSR who has increased the amount by 40 per cent on two occasions in all categories," he added.

Shifting the focus on TRS, Gattu Ramachandra Rao said, Sircilla MLA K Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) passing remarks on Vijayamma, in wake of the weavers dharna she is to undertake at Sircilla later this month, are uncalled for.

"She may not have studied and worked in the U.S. (unlike KTR) but she comes from a political family and knows the problems of weavers," he said.

Though KTR represents Sircilla, which has a big chunk of weavers, he never raised the weaver's issue as they are in despair with the cost of yarn going up and the prices of cloth remaining the same.

"He must be fearing of the growing strength of YSRC in the region which was established in the Parakal by-polls," he said.

"Politics is different from issues and the two need not get mixed up," he added. (ANI)