Urging the state government to set up a body to administer the Sri Satya Sai Central Trust on the lines of the Specified Authority in the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, All India Congress Committee secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Wednesday demanded a thorough probe into the properties of the Trust after the case of illegal transfer of money came to light.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, Mr Sudhakar Reddy said that an impartial and thorough probe into the properties held by the Satya Sai Central Trust was very much the need of the hour as money was being transferred from the Yajur Mandir in Puttaparthi to Bangalore.
Mr Sudhakar Reddy demanded that the government take immediate steps to safeguard the wealth of the Trust, ensure the arrest of all guilty in connection with the transfer of money and punish them sternly, whoever it may be.
“The state government must protect the properties of Satya Sai Central Trust by setting up a monitoring body on the lines of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam’s Specified Authority,” the senior leader said.
Mr Sudhakar Reddy disclosed that he would submit a memorandum to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, seeking a probe into entire issue soon.
The Congress leader also hailed Union Minister for Environment Jairam Ramesh’s decision to give permission for establishment of industries only after they stand by environmental norms and laws pertaining to acquisition of land.
Mr Sudhakar Reddy also condemned the attack on MPs Rajaiah and G Vivek at Hanmakonda in Warangal when they went to pay last respects to Telangana ideologue Professor Jayashankar.
The senior leader also said that he would seek a memorial dedicated to Professor Jayashankar in the state capital.(INN)
2011/6/20 9:29:40 All India Congress Committee secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Monday urged the state government to take over the Satya Sai Central Trust in the wake of allegations that the movable properties were being shifted illegally to Karnataka.
Talking to media persons at Assembly Media Point, Mr Sudhakar Reddy demanded that the government focus its attention on the members of the Trust, besides taking over the functioning of the Trust.
“The state government must focus its attention on the allegations being raised against some members that they are transporting assets and money illegally to the neighbouring Karnataka state,” the senior Congress leader stated.
Mr Sudhakar Reddy further appealed to the state government to order a probe into transporting of money and sought stern punishments to the guilty.
He added that the government should take all measures to protect the money and valuables of the late seer, Satya Sai Baba.
“The government can use the money for welfare of poor and Backward Class people,” Mr Sudhakar Reddy pointed out.(INN)
2011/12/19 17:29:52 All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Monday condemned the Telugu Desam Party for levelling allegations that the ministers have nexus with the liquor syndicate.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti said that the TDP has no moral right to criticize the ministers as they have sold arrack sachets directly in the police stations under the name of Varuna Vahini. Alleging that Chandrababu Naidu's regime was notorious for heavy sales of liquor, he challenged the TDP to for a public debate on granting of liquor permits. He said that the Vigilance Commission in its report has exposed several irregularities in liquor permits during the TDP's regime.
Ponguleti said that both Excise and Prohibition Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao and Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana have already declared that those involved in the liquor scam would not be spared. He asked the TDP to stop making baseless allegations against Ministers and the Congress party to get mileage in media. (INN)
Ponguleti asks KCR to apologise for calling Sonia a 'devil'
2012/5/3 6:39:12 Hyderabad, May 3 (INN): AICC secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Thursday came down heavily on Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao for criticizing Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Telangana issue.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party office, Ponguleti raised serious objection over KCR describing Sonia Gandhi as 'devil' and sought his unconditional apology from him. Demanding KCR to withdraw his remarks against Sonia Gandhi, he took serious note on KCR for using foul language against the national leaders.
Advising KCR to have control on his words, he warned him of serious consequences if he did not stop using 'vulgar' language. Stating that the formation of separate State was delayed mainly due to the attitude of KCR, he accused him of misusing the agitation for his selfish gains and to strengthen his family.
Ponguleti also condemned KCR for calling people of the region to grill elected representatives on the Telangana statehood issue. Stating that Congress party was committed for the formation of Telangana State, he said that the government would resolve the issue soon.
2012/2/3 12:01:20 AICC Secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy condemned the left parties for criticising the Congress party during their convention at Khammam.
Talking to reporters at the Congress Legislature Party office here on Friday, Ponguleti said that the left parties leaders including Prakash Karat, Brinda Karat, K Narayana and BV Raghuvulu have made statements targeting the Congress party while linking it with the scams. He said the left parties should check their own credentials before commenting about the Congress.
Accusing the left parties of having double standards, Ponguleti said that they had earlier accused the Telugu Desam Party of being corrupt and were sailing with the same party now. He said the left parties' leaders have been leveling baseless allegations against the ruling party to draw political mileage. He described the left parties as a 'sinking boat' in Andhra Pradesh.
The AICC Secretary also slammed the BJP for holding the Congress party responsible for the 2G scam. He claimed that all the rules and regulations for spectrum allocation were framed by the NDA Government. Therefore, the BJP should apologise for the 2G scam before targeting the Congress government. (INN)
Ponguleti slams opposition for anti-Congress campaign
2012/5/22 4:08:54 Hyderabad, May 22 (INN): AICC secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Tuesday said that some vested elements have launched malicious campaign against the Congress party to defeat it in the ensuing by-elections.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party office, Ponguleti Sudhakar called upon party rank and file to teach a fitting lesson to those 'vested elements' by defeating them in the by-elections. Stating that he had visited Tirupati and Nellore constituencies as part of election campaign, he said that there has been an improvement in the morale of party leaders compared to previous elections.
Ponguleti expressed confidence that the Congress candidates would win with a huge majority in the by-elections. He advised the party leaders to popularize the government's welfare schemes and programmes and seek votes on the performance of government. He condemned the TDP, TRS and YSR Congress party leaders for leveling baseless charges against the Congress party to tarnish its image and to get mileage in the by-elections.
The AICC Secretary asked the party cadre to inform the control room at Gandhi Bhavan against those who are trying to do 'match fixing' with other parties while damaging the image of Congress party and the government.
2011/12/6 12:56:50 All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Tuesday stated that the soul of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy would not rest in the peace until YSR Congress party president Jagan Mohan Reddy changes his attitude and style of functioning.
Talking to media persons, Ponguleti Sudhakar said that the former chief minister, till his last breath, worked to protect the interests of Congress party and strengthened the same at the grass root level. However, Jagan was working against the Congress party and foiling the aspirations of YSR.
Ponguleti also took serious note on those MLAs, who were elected on the `B’ form of Congress party, for voting against party whip during the No Confidence Motion introduced against the Kiran Kumar Reddy Government. He said that the people would teach a fitting lesson to all rebel Congress MLAs.
The AICC Secretary hoped that Kiran Kumar Reddy would continue his remaining stint as the Chief Minister without any problems. He predicted that Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu would sit-in for another term as Opposition Leader in the next assembly elections. (INN)
2011/8/23 3:41:33 AICC secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Tuesday took serious note on YSR Congress party official spokesperson Ambati Rambabu's remark that Praja Rajyam president K Chiranjeevi allegedly took Rs 300 crore to merger his party into the Congress.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti Sudhakar said there was no truth in the allegation and Chiranjeevi merged his party after looking at the Congress government's policies and Sonia Gandhi's leadership skills. He said Ambati Rambabu was issuing such baseless statements in order to get cheat publicity. He said Ambati Rambabu, who is supporting corrupt Jagan Mohan Reddy has no moral right to talk on Chiranjeevi, a non-controversial person.
“There is no need for Chiranjeevi to sell his MLAs and the Congress party would never resort to such tactics,” he said. He asked Ambati Rambabu as to how many crores he earned illegally as the chairman of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation. He said the MLAs Jayasudha, K Satyavathi and Konda Surekha have not submitted their resignations in support of Jagan and their resignations were linked with separate Telangana issue.
Ponguleti Sudhakar alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy was playing politics over his dead father's name and trying to gain public's sympathy by using his mother. (INN)
Chiranjeevi will campaign in all 18 constituencies: Ponguleti
2012/4/29 6:49:02 Hyderabad, April 29 (INN): AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy on Sunday denied media reports that Rajya Sabha MP K Chiranjeevi would campaign only in five out of 18 assembly constituencies where by-elections are scheduled to be held on June 12.
Talking to reporters at the Congress Legislature Party office, Ponguleti said that being the star-campaigner of Congress party, Chiranjeevi would campaign for all 18 assembly and one Lok Sabha seats. He said Chiranjeevi would never confine himself to a few seats. He accused a section of media of distorting Chiranjeevi's statements to claim that he would confine himself to just five assembly segments.
Ponguleti also came down heavily on Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu for targeting the Congress party. He said that Naidu has been making false allegations against the Congress leaders and State Government. He said Naidu's malicious campaign against the ruling party would backfire against him and people would teach the TDP a fitting lesson in the next elections.
The Congress MLC also advised Naidu to take rest due to health problems by resigning from the party post and as the Leader of the Opposition.
Ponguleti also expressed concern over the wastage of public money on by-elections. He said that the by-elections have been imposed upon the people by some individuals for their own benefits. He said that the money which was being spent on conducting by-elections could have been spent on the drought-hit areas of the State. The State Government was forced to halt several welfare and development schemes due to Model Code of Conduct, he said while adding that frequent by-elections had an adverse impact on the pace of development in the State.
However, he defended by-elections in Tirupati assembly seat. He said Chiranjeevi had to vacate the seat after his elevation as the Rajya Sabha MP. He said the case of Tirupati seat was different from 17 other assembly constituencies.
Ponguleti also requested all the MLAs and MLCs to spend their funds for two-months to solve the drinking water problems in the State.
Ponguleti asks EC to ban leaders using foul language
2012/5/1 4:00:52 Hyderabad, May 1 (INN): AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Tuesday took serious note on political leaders trading serious charges against each other during the campaign for the ensuing by-elections.
Talking to media persons at Gandhi Bhavan, Ponguleti Sudhakar said that the political leaders, in the name of election campaign, have been leveling baseless charges against each other and using the derogatory language damaging the party and personal image. “The leaders are leveling personal allegations against others in order to damage their image,” he stated.
Ponguleti appealed to the Election Commission of India to act tough against those leaders, who use foul language in the elections and disqualify them from contesting in the elections. “The Election Commission should consider imposing ban on such persons who use vulgar language in the election campaigns,” he stated.
The AICC Secretary condemned media reports that Congress was facing crisis due to selection of candidates in the constituencies. He said that selection of aspirants was delayed as there were many aspirants in the constituencies. However, the high command would announce the aspirants list in a day or two, he said.
He accused a section of media of publishing baseless reports in order to damage ruling party's image.
2011/11/20 12:03:48 All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Sunday hailed the decision of party MLAs who have decided to return to the Congress party from the YSR Congress camp.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti said that the decision of MLAs to join the YSR Congress was hasty. However, they have now realised their mistake and are returning to Congress, he said adding that it would be an 'honourable' re-entry for all the MLAs. He said the MLAs have joined the YSR Congress party due to their affection towards former chief minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy and not because of Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The AICC secretary said that the Congress party would not cow down to threats being issued by some vested elements to destabilize the Kiran Kumar Reddy Government. He claimed that there was no threat to the government as no could scare the Congress MLAs or lure them. He said that the Congress party enjoys majority and the No Confidence Motion likely to be moved by the Telugu Desam Party against the government would be defeated on the floor of the house. (INN)
What are Geeta and Raghuveera doing in Puttaparthi?
2011/4/6 8:21:36
It has been over a week since ministers Geeta Reddy and Raghuveera Reddy have been camping in Puttaparthi.
The two ministers rushed to Puttaparthi the moment they heard that Sathya Sai Baba was critically ill and admitted to ICCU.
The reason is simple. At stake are billions of rupees at the Sathya Sai trust. There is some trouble brewing among the trust members on this count. CM Kiran Kumar Reddy deputed his trusted lieutenant Raghuveera to monitor this closely.
Geeta Reddy is a staunch devotee of Baba. However, she is reportedly there on behalf of the centre or the party high command. The high command does not trust Kiran Kumar Reddy fully and hence it sent Geeta Reddy.
This is the talk that is now doing the rounds in Puttaparthi.
The director of NIMS PV Ramesh said that the committee with six doctors has been constituted to monitor the health condition of Babu.
The doctors committee will monitor the health condition of Babu closely and NIMS will also release a bulletin on Babu’s health condition at regular intervals.
2011/7/16 7:16:31 Satyasai Trust has inducted four new members JD Shetty, Naganada, Chakravarthy and PKK Bhagavath who were serving as the members of Council Management until now. This decision has been taken by the members of the Trust on Friday on the eve of auspicious Guru Purnima day. Now, all the nine members of the Trust will elect a secretary soon. The Trust will start working under his guidelines.
2011/6/25 10:42:48 Senior Congress leader G Rudraraju on Saturday condemned the allegations levelled by Telugu Desam Council Floor leader Dadi Veerabhadra Rao that a prominent person in the state government, along with three of Ministers in the N Kiran Kumar Reddy Cabinet are involved in affairs of the Satya Sai Central Trust.
Talking to media persons at Assembly Media point, Mr Rudraraju stated that the government was only connected to the religious affairs conducted by the Trust and was not involved in its functioning.
The senior leader also denied the allegations levelled by Mr Dadi Veerabhadra Rao, describing them as ‘completely meaningless.’
“There is no truth behind the allegations,” he said, adding that the state government has never interfered in the affairs of any religious body.
However, Mr Rudraraju added that the government was observing the ‘unsavoury’ developments in the Trust and would take action if needed, at the appropriate time.
“The government is committed and would take all measures to protect the properties of the Trust and the interests of the devotees,” the senior leader assured.
After verifying the happenings in the Trust from all angles, the government would act against the members and punish anyone found guilty,” he added.(INN)
Errabelli has no moral right to target Sonia: Ponguleti
2011/8/12 9:00:18 All India Congress Committee secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar has condemned the allegation of Telugu Desam Telangana Forum convener Errabelli Dayakar Rao as baseless and misleading and said that the Telugu Desam has no moral right to target the Congress party.
Speaking to media persons on Friday at Assembly premises Ponguleti Sudhakar termed the remarks as baseless and far from truth.
It may be recalled that Errabelly had said that the Congress and the Telangana Rashtra Samiti hatched a conspiracy to delay the formation of Telangana state.
Ponguleti Sudhakar blamed that the Telugu Desam for the present political uncertainty in the state.
Stating that Telugu Desam has no moral right to target the Congress party, he advised Errabelli Dayakar to make its party stand clear on the Telangana.
He also took serious exception over the comments made by Y S Vivekananda Reddy that Congress president Sonia Gandhi and state government conspired to foist false cases against Jagan.
“I don’t understand why Vivekananda Reddy making such serious remarks against Congress president Sonia Gandhi,” he stated.
He thanked the state government and the Centre for repealing clause 14F of the Presidential Orders of 1975.
He also appealed to Samaikyaandhra leaders not to file any petition in the courts objecting the Presidential assent.
He urged the government to begin recruitment process for other posts in the region with the amended clause.(INN)
Ponguleti Sudhakar condemns Naidu charges against Botsa
2012/4/27 5:41:23 Hyderabad, April 27 (INN): AICC secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Friday came down heavily on Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu for targeting Pradesh congress committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on liquor syndicate issue.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti Sudhakar took serious objection over the comments of Naidu that he would throw Botsa Satyanarayana in the Bay of Bengal.
He said that these type of statements are not suitable to Naidu, who was in a responsible Opposition Leader post.
He said that Naidu leveling baseless charges against PCC chief to get mileage on the liquor syndicate issue.
Stating that Naidu has no moral right to talk on liquor syndicate issue and corruption, he said that liquor overflowed during Naidu’s tenure and corruption was manifold.
He suggested Naidu to mind his business and party affairs before targeting on other parties.
Stating that his party already sinked in the Bay of Bengal, he advised him to focus on reviving his party instead of leveling baseless allegations against Congress leaders.
2012/3/19 5:00:34 AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy has condemned the remarks of BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu wherein he described the UPA-2 as a 'wing-less bird'.
Talking to reporters at Assembly Media Point here on Monday, Sudhakar Reddy said that the UPA government has been performing exceedingly well. He said despite political compulsions, the Central Government was able to present people-friendly Railway Budget and Union Budget.
The AICC Secretary advised Venkaiah Naidu to first set his house in order before commenting on the Congress party. He said that Karnataka BJP was in crisis and the party's High Command was unable to silence the dissidents led by former Chief Minister YS Yedurappa. He said Venkaiah Naidu should focus his attention on his own party affairs before making baseless remarks against the ruling party.
Ponguleti also expressed satisfaction over the nomination of K Chiranjeevi, Renuka Chowdhary, P Govardhan Reddy and R Anand Bhaskar for the Rajya Sabha seats. He said their nomination would help in strengthening of Congress party in the State. He said party would utilise the services of K Keshava Rao for other purposes. (INN)
Ponguleti slams KCR for delay in Telangana formation
2012/4/28 7:01:57 Hyderabad, April 28 (INN): AICC General Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Saturday condemned Telangana Rashtra Samithi president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s statement that he would continue the statehood agitation for another 11 years.
Talking to media persons at Congress Legislature Party office, he attributed the delay in formation of Telangana State to KCR's style of functioning. He alleged that KCR has misused the statehood agitation for his personal gains and to get political posts for his family members. If he has any commitment towards Telangana State and wants to prevent suicides in the region, he said that KCR should support the agitation of Telangana Congress MPs in New Delhi.
Asking KCR to stop the blame game and targeting of leaders, he appealed to KCR to take forward the agitation by sinking all differences by collectively under one common platform.
Ponguleti slammed the BJP for targeting Gandhi family despite the court giving clean chit in the Bofors scandal. He asked the BJP, which always targets Congress party on corruption issue, to explain to the people about conviction of BJP senior leader Bangaru Laxman in fake arms deal case by a Delhi court.
Government officials monitor Chirutha ticket sales!
2007/9/27 22:36:50
Believe it or not. We have heard about government officials taking part in poll duty and other duties during calamities like floods and earthquakes. But perhaps for the first time in the history of cinema, government officials are now doing duty for Chirutha.
The revenue officials have been asked to monitor the sale of Chirutha tickets at several places in Andhra like Rajamundry, Gudivada, Machilipatnam etc. The move comes following complaints by Chiru fans that the theatre managements are selling the tickets in black. So revenue officials will now sit along with the booking clerk at the ticket counters and monitor the sale of tickets.
2012/3/31 4:47:40 AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Saturday stated that the party image was beaten badly as the leaders not effectively rebutting the charges of Opposition against the government and party high command.
Talking to media persons at the Congress Legislature Party Office, Ponguleti Sudhakar said that the ministers and senior leaders have totally failed to counter the allegations of opposition parties which consequently affected the party's image among the people. Apart from this, the internal conflicts among leaders over the policy decisions adding woes to party, he said.
Ponguleti advised the party leaders to raise their issues among party forum instead of raising them before media and damaging the party's image. He asked the seniors to work for strengthening the party at village, mandal and district level by taking the government and party programmes to the people.
The AICC Secretary said that the senior leaders should make collective efforts to ensure victory of party candidates in the ensuing by-elections to be held for 18 Assembly constituencies.
He also condemned YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy's statement that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was afraid of him. He said that former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy never spoke a word against party high command and Sonia Gandhi. He asked Jagan Mohan Reddy to learn a lesson from his father before making comments against seniors. (INN)
All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Monday condemned the Telugu Desam Party for levelling allegations that the ministers have nexus with the liquor syndicate.
AICC Secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy condemned the left parties for criticising the Congress party during their convention at Khammam.
AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy has condemned the remarks of BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu wherein he described the UPA-2 as a 'wing-less bird'.
AICC Secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Saturday stated that the party image was beaten badly as the leaders not effectively rebutting the charges of Opposition against the government and party high command.
