TRS chief rubbishes TDP's allegations; demands apology

The ongoing Telugu Desam Party-Telangana Rashtra Samithi war of words continued on Friday with TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao demanding an apology from leaders of the main Opposition party for making false allegations against him.

Dismissing the TDP's allegations that he has amassed huge wealth through unethical means, Rao told reporters in Hyderabad that he owns 24 acres of agricultural land in Medak district, a house in Hyderabad and another in Karimnagar.

He said he has also borrowed money to invest in the newspaper and news channel started to highlight the Telangana cause.

On the contrary, Naidu has the habit of indulging in unethical practices and having 'benami' properties, he said.

Rejecting TDP's allegations that the construction tenders for Polavaram irrigation project have been awarded to those close to him for diluting the pro-Telangana stir, Rao said TRS has been consistently fighting against the project.

Citing examples, he said TRS has held public meetings against the project, filed petitions against it in courts as it allegedly benefits non-Telangana regions at the cost of Telangana people.

Rao asked how he is concerned if a friend of his, who is a businessman, won the tenders of the project. Maintaining that he is ready for a debate on the issues, the TRS president said his party would not hesitate to file a defamation suit against the TDP party leaders if they failed to apologise over the issue.

Replying to a query, he said a break has been given to the 'sakala janula samme' (strike by all sections of people) that was held for 42 days.

Asserting that there is no compromise on separate Telangana demand, the former Union Minister said he knew how to move forward towards achieving the goal.