Uttam condemns NDA Govt over controversy

Hyderabad, April 30 (INN): Launching a scathing attack on NDA Government at the Centre over smear campaign against the erstwhile UPA Government, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Captain N Uttam Kumar Reddy said that controversy over AugustaWestland Chopper deal was untimely and unnecessary.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, Uttam Kumar Reddy alleged that NDA Government has failed on all fronts, be it providing employment, resolving the farmers' issues and initiating rehabilitation measures in drought hit areas; and trying to divert the people of the nation by raising Augusta Westland deal. He informed that the Rs 3,500 crore AugustaWestland deal for buying 12 VVIP choppers was sealed during the previous Congress led UPA government. However, after suspecting a foul play in the transactions UPA government itself cancelled the deal after buying 3 Choppers and ordered a CBI enquiry into the matter.

Uttam Kumar Reddy ridiculed the reports in a section of media and termed those reports as a result of technical knowledge about the height at which helicopters can fly and others. He said, 'Misleading reports and unnecessary issues have been raised by few media groups was only to target the Gandhi family which has lot of sacrifices to its credit for the nation, and part of a smear campaign of the NDA government.'

Reducing the height of from 6000 Meters to 3,500 meters would not result any difference rather it has enhanced the number of companies which can seal the deal for sale of helicopters, he informed. "As a professional fighter pilot I can tell that several reports in few newspapers were utterly rubbish," he lamented.

Condemning the way in which NDA government spearheading the blame game against Congress leadership, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that Rajasthan and Chattisgargh, both BJP ruled states, have bought the VIP Choppers from Augustawestland very recently, which was cancelled by the previous UPA government.

Stating that the Gandhi family has sacrificed a lot for the nation during independence movement and afterwards, he said that NDA government was raising this issue untimely only to hide its failures in almost every aspect. He said, 'Every slogan of NDA government like 'Make in India', Digital India or any other failed to yield any positive result and people of all sections were unhappy with the government. Just to divert attention, union government has been dragging its feet on this issue.'

Replying to a query about Telangana Congress party's stand on Palamur Rangareddy Lift Irrigation project launched recently, Uttam Kumar said that any project meant to bring prosperity, irrigation and drinking water to Telangana, the party is with it. However, he said that his party would oppose and has been opposing graft and irregularities in the name of projects.

'As a party we would definitely support the construction of any project in the state, given that state government must not allow graft in the name of projects,' he said.

He took objection to the state government's bid to enhance to construction cost by 25 to 30 per cent. TPCC vice president Mallu Ravi on this occasion said that it was Telangana Congress which supported the separate Telangana cause despite the severe opposition from AP congress leaders in the past.

Accusing the TRS government of misleading the people by giving such statement on projects he reminded that TRS came to power only because Telangana congress leaders supporting the separated hood cause in past.