Naidu says CM post is a 'Crown of Thorns'

KUPPAM (Chittoor District): Describing the Chief Minister's post as a 'crown of thorns', Residuary Andhra Pradesh State Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has vowed to work hard ( round the clock) for the development of the state with the cooperation of one and all.

"The state is facing a severe financial crisis, with no money even to pay the salaries to the employees. However, I am ready to work round the clock to rectify this situation and take the state on the path of development.

Your cooperation is must in this regard,'' he said while addressing a public meeting in Rama Kuppam mandal headquarters in Kuppam Assembly constituency on Monday.

Naidu, who is on a two-day visit to Kuppam constituency, represented by him in the state Assembly, participated in development programmes in Rama Kuppam, Santhipuram, Gudipalli and Kuppam mandals under his constituency.

Addressing public meetings at all these places, Naidu reiterated that his government was committed to ensuring the welfare of farmers and waiving their crop loans.

`I have already signed the file for appointing a committed to work out the modalities for the implementation of the loan waiver scheme. After receiving and studying its report,I will approach the Centre for its help for the implementation of the scheme ,'' he said.

However, he added that the process would take some time as his government had to convince the Reserve Bank of India and get the cooperation from the Centre.

'Till the last blood of my life, I will work for the welfare of the farmers and make agriculture profitable,' he said and added that his government would also fulfill all the remaining pre-poll promises like nine-hour power supply to the agriculture sector.

Exuding confidence over the development of Residuary Andhra Pradesh state, he said the vast coast line of the state would prove an asset in the process as there was a possibility of developing 10 to 12 new ports there.

Stating that Centre's support would be necessary for the state to register high growth levels, he hinted at taking two more ministers from the BJP into his ministry.

Stating that Lord Venkateswara had made him the CM to protect the Tirumala Hills from the red sander smugglers, Naidu vowed to end the menace at the earliest.

Naidu, who arrived in the constituency after a delay of some hours, got a tumultuous welcome from the party leaders and functionaries, including Chittoor MP N Siva Prasad and Forest Minister Bojjala Gopalakrishna Reddy.