Will not attach much importance to remarks of local BJP leaders: Kala

Reiterating what Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had said on Saturday, Ministers Ganta Srinivasa Rao (HRD) and P. Narayana (Municipal Administration) said on Sunday that the TDP was ready to contest the 2019 elections alone if the BJP walked out of the alliance.

The Ministers were in the city to take part in a meeting organised by the Balija Abhudaya Seva Samithi (BASS).

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the meeting, the Ministers said they were following the ‘mitra dharma’ (coalition dharma) despite criticism from the local BJP leaders.

They said the YSR Congress Party would lose the Opposition party status after the next elections.

Instead of discussing the prevailing issues, the YSRCP president chose to boycott the Assembly and embark on a padayatra. This would not augur well for him and his party as people knew the real intentions.

“The TDP is the only party committed to the welfare of the people, especially the backward classes,” they said.

Staff Reporter in Srikakulam writes:

TDP State president and Energy Minister K. Kala Venkata Rao said the tie- up between the BJP and the TDP would remain intact.

The Minister was in the district to participate in various developmental programmes in Rajam and Ranasthalam mandals.

Addressing the media, he said the government would strive to protect the interests of the State while following the ‘mitra dharma.’

Mr. Venkata Rao said the TDP would not attach much importance to the statements of State BJP leaders as issues pertaining to electoral understanding would be between the leadership of both the parties.

On the initiatives of his Ministry, Mr. Venkata Rao said the government had accorded importance to tapping solar and wind power.

He expressed happiness over generation of 4,000 MW solar and wind power in the State.

“The price per unit at present is ₹2.55. We hope it would come down further in future with the adoption of new technologies,” he added.