TRS failed to take up TDP challenge: Babu

HYDERABAD: After successful trip to Karimnagar, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday averred: “No one has guts to stop the TDP in Telangana.I will go to Warangal on January 6 to know the problems of farmers.” In an informal chat with reporters here, Naidu said: “The TDP has the support of people.I challenged the TRS to come to a debate with the TDP on whom developed Telangana region. But there is no response from them.” Naidu further said the TRS managed to get only 11 Assembly seats in the 2009 elections despite getting TDP votes. Naidu claimed that TDP leaders campaigned for the TRS, but still it lost a majority seats.It may be recalled that the TDP-TRS struck a pre-poll alliance in last elections.“When our leaders transferred the TDP votes to the TRS, the latter failed to win majority seats in Telangana. How can TRS candidates win this time?” Naidu wondered, when asked about the trends in the coming bypolls. On YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy’s influence in Rayalaseema and Andhra regions, Naidu said TDP leaders were with the people.“You will see how Jagan will fare in Andhra,” Naidu quipped. At an official briefing, Naidu wanted the Centre to implement the German model of campaign finance in elections. “This will curb money power in politics. The government funding of elections will check corruption in the country,” Naidu opined.The TDP chief demanded reintroduction of effective Lokpal bill in Parliament to curb corruption. “If the government comes up with effective Lokpal, the TDP will support it fully. Otherwise, the TDP will expose the Congress- led UPA Government,” Naidu said.On the liquor scandal in the state, the TDP chief wanted the government to disclose the names figured in ACB raids and ensure sale of liquor at MRP.He recalled that the liquor sale was 2.28 crore bottles of IMFL and 1.61 crore bottles of beer in 2003-04.Now, the sale rose to 4.12 crore IMFL bottles and 2.49 crore bottles of beer.“The government and liquor syndicates are earning a huge money by fleecing the poor people. The families are ruined because of excess liquor sale,” Naidu alleged.The timings of liquor sale should be restricted. Like in Delhi and Kerala, the state government should also restrict the timings of liquor sale up to 8 pm, Naidu suggested. The TDP would organise motorcycle rallies in all 294 Assembly segments from January 3 to 5 against the liquor policy of the Congress government.