TD leader Ravula Chandrasekhar skips Palamuru debate

Mr Krishna Rao, who had challenged TD leaders, including Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy for an open debate, waited on the Assembly premises at around 10.30 am for the second time in a week and invited the TD leader to a debate in front of the media.

Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy did not turn up, but held a press conference at the NTR Trust Bhavan. After waiting for about one-and-a-half hours, Mr Krishna Rao left, saying TD leaders had run away from the debate as they had no answers. Mr Krishna Rao said TD leaders were misleading people by saying that they were not opposed to the lift irrigation schemes while their party leader and AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had written a letter to the Centre opposing it.

“If that is true, TD leaders should mount pressure on the AP CM to write a letter to the Centre, Central Water Commission and the KBWT that the AP government was not opposed to Palamuru-Ranga Reddy and other irrigation projects,” Mr Krishna Rao said.

He added, “I gave an open offer for a debate at any place and any time. I invited them to the Assembly premises. But they did not turn up. I am keeping the challenge open.”

Referring to Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy’s statement that he was an ex-MLA and cannot enter the Assembly precincts, the minister said ex-MLAs are permitted to enter the lobbies in the Assembly.

“If they face difficulty, let us have it in a function hall or the Hyderabad Press Club and let the media be the judge. TD leaders are finding lame excuses to avoid the debate,” he alleged.

Calling the minister’s action “childish”, Mr Chandrasekhar Reddy said the TD was not opposed to the Palamuru project. He said the previous TD regime had spent Rs 33.57 crore on the Bheema project out of the Rs 80 crore sanctioned in 1998. It has also spent on other projects in the region.