Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada   

Opposition politicising Yellampalli: Ponnala

VIJAYAWADA: Major Irrigation Minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah on Saturday charged the Opposition parties with trying to take political advantage out of the Yellampalli project issue, rather than looking at the benefits that would accrue to the people of the State from the project.

Addressing a press conference at Gannavaram airport, Mr. Lakshmaiah said that the Opposition leaders had almost abstained from the Public Accounts Committee meeting and this showed their lack of interest in the project.

“They almost ran away from the PAC. Now they are making all baseless allegations against the Government, which is totally unwarranted at this juncture,” he remarked.

Mr. Lakshmaiah alleged though the TDP leader and PAC Chairman Yanamala Ramakrishnudu did not bother to attend the PAC meeting, he was now not hesitating to find fault with the Government. The Minister said that the objections raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in respect of the project were answered at length in the 18-day-long debate on the floor of the Assembly. The Lok Ayukta was also informed.

Asserting that there was transparency in the project all through, Mr. Lakshmaiah said that the Opposition campaign was singularly aimed at “mudslinging” the Government without any substantial proof. He questioned the TDP leaders as to why they could not utilise the opportunity to prove irregularities, if any, in the project. Kanumuri Bapiraju had to chair the PAC meeting, because the Chairman could not make it.

Mr. Lakshmaiah challenged the Opposition parties to provide evidence in support of their allegations against the Government over the project, instead of simply indulging in a blame game.

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