Support is secular, TDP chief reminds PM

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, DEC. 7. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, today lashed out at the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, for the latter's remarks on the Ayodhya dispute and reminded him that the Telugu Desam Party had extended support to the NDA on the ``basis of a common agenda and secular values''.

He said the Ayodhya dispute was pending in the Supreme Court and it was unwarranted that anyone should exploit the issue for ``their political ends. Be it the Opposition or the ruling party or even the Prime Minister, this has become a habit for all of them. Major issues are kept aside or ignored. People's interest is not primary to them. Is not there a time for politicking?''

Angry at the distress sale being resorted to by farmers throughout the country, Mr. Naidu said, ``Is not there a time for everything? When our market-yards are overflowing with arrivals of foodgrains we do not have time to discuss the minimum support price issue. Everyday of this session was lost in unnecessary politicking. Can't we wait at least for a fortnight or so till the farmers' problems' are solved?''

Mr. Naidu was unhappy that despite the strong protests from Andhra Pradesh on the procurement of paddy, the Centre was not responding favourably. ``What applies to Punjab must also apply to Andhra Pradesh. You can not treat us differently. For me, my people are important. I shall spare no effort in securing justice for them on the issue.''

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Section  : National
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