Accusing the State government of focusing more on publicity rather than chalking out a plan of action to complete the Polavaram irrigation project in time, Puducherry Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Sunday demanded that transparency be ensured in the construction of the major irrigation project and relief paid immediately to the evacuees.
He was the chief guest at the launch of the four-day padayatra of the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) to bring pressure on the government for resuming the work. Mr. Narayanasamy alleged that the BJP and the TDP were keen on escalating the project cost and sharing the kickbacks rather than giving priority to the lifeline of the State. “The long-pending project materialised during the Congress regime, when Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy was the Chief Minister and ₹5,200 crore was spent on digging the canals. The Manmohan Singh-led Central government had agreed to release funds,” he recalled.
Taking potshots at the inordinate delay in the project work and the blame game by the BJP and the TDP, Mr. Narayanasamy said in a sarcastic tone the two parties had entered into a wedlock during the general elections but were on the verge of divorce for reasons best known to them. “But these parties are not supposed to halt the project work for their personal gains,” he said.
‘Diversionary tactics’
APCC president N. Raghuveera Reddy said only Congress party could complete the project work, as no other party had the commitment needed. Ridiculing the Chief Minister’s proposed meeting with the Prime Minister as yet another gimmick to divert public attention, he demanded that the proceedings of the meeting be telecast live so that people would come to know the reality. Rajya Sabha member K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, party senior leaders M.M. Pallam Raju, J.D. Seelam, Killi Krupa Rani, Panabaka Lakshmi, S. Sailajanath and C. Ramachandraiah were present. The padayatra proceeded towards Kovvuru in West Godavari district, where the leaders made their night halt.
