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 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)
2012/1/5 14:45:13 TDP politburo member K Yerran Naidu on Thursday ridiculed PCC Botsa Satyanarayana for his remarks that government was not at fault in the hooch tragedy which claimed18 tribals at Mylavaram in Krishna district.
Talking to media persons at NTR Bhavan, the TDP leader said that the PCC president, who was a major liquor dealer in Vizianagaram district, should be ashamed of making such remarks. Demanding that the Government should introduce more controls in liquor sales and production, he urged the Kiran Kumar Government to put an end to illicit arrack brewing in the State.
He condemned Union Health Minister Gulam Nabi Azad and Praja Rajyam leader K Chiranjeevi for not taking serious note on the hooch deaths.Yerran Naidu demanded that the Government should disclose the details of the ACB report and also ordered a full scale investigation to unravel the nexus between Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and other officials in the liquor syndicate.
TDP Mahila wing president Shobha Hymavati alleged that over 200 belt shops in Karimnagar district were operated under the aegis of the village committees and earning revenue of over Rs 120 crore in the district alone. (INN)
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.
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.
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 dont 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 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.
2012/1/13 13:54:32 Condemning Naidu for levelling charges against him in connection with the liquor syndicate, he said that no member from his family was involved with the liquor mafia.
Botsa also asked YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy to stop 'malicious' campaign against the government in the name of farmers' cause. He reiterated that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy Government was committed for the welfare of farmers and have been taking all steps to rescue them. He said opposition parties were staging protests on farmers' issues to get political advantage. (INN)
2012/3/2 6:37:36 Endowments Minister C Ramachandraiah informed the House that an amount of Rs 4.14 crore has been released for supply of text books to all the girl students in the academic year 2010-11 by the TTD board.
He was replying to a question raised by K Janardhan Reddy, K Laxmi Durgesh Prasad and P Sudhakar Reddy.
Expressing dissatisfaction on Minister’s reply, leader of the opposition Dadi Veerabhadra Rao said that the government was running away from its responsibilities. The money which should be spend on religious preaching was being diverted. Intervening on these allegations MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy said that Veerabhadra Rao's statement was misguiding. He should know that these kind of activities were done during TDP period too.
But Veerabhadra Rao got provoked over Sudhakar Reddy's comments and he asked him to stop his 'dadagiri'. He used the words of 'shameless' and 'useless fellow' against him. These remarks triggered protest from the treasury benches and the members demanded an apology. However, Veerabhadra Rao remained defiant.
Following uproar, Deputy Chairman Nethi Vidyasagar said that the remarks would be expunged from the records. However, order could not be restored in the House which consequently led to the adjournment of the House for 10 minutes. (INN)
The Telugu Mahila chief actress Roja has angered the TRS leaders with her comments. She was taking part in a anti-liquor seminar conducted at the press club in Basheerbagh in Hyderabad. Roja made some scathing remarks against the TRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao. Angered over this, some TRS activists including party senior leader Nayani Narasimha Reddy ghearaoed hr and created a big ruckus. They demanded an unconditional apology from Roja and asked her to withdraw her remarks.
2012/2/17 6:53:37 The anti Corruption Bureau has appointed a Special Investigation Team to deal with the liquor syndicate issue in the State.
According to sources, the SIT would have 11 senior officials led by Additional Director Srinivasa Rao to probe into the activities of liquor syndicate in the State. (INN)
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)
2012/4/23 4:07:18 Hyderabad, April 23 (INN): Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Monday came down heavily on Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu for staging dharna in Vizianagaram district on the liquor syndicate issue.
Talking to media persons at Ministers’ Quarters, Botsa Satyanarayana dubbed Naidu's dharna as a stunt to get mileage on the liquor syndicate issue before the ensuing by-elections. However, the people of the State would not believe Naidu and teach him a fitting lesson in the elections, he said. He alleged that Naidu, by staging protest on liquor syndicate issue, tried to disturb law and order in the peaceful town of Vizianagaram.
The PCC chief also accused Naidu of taking law into his hands. Alleging that Naidu has been resorting to black mail tactics against the officials, he said though many leaders from the TDP were involved in the liquor syndicate, Naidu has been targeting the Congress party without taking action against his party men.
Botsa asked as to why Naidu did not constitute a committee to take action against the TDP leaders having nexus with the liquor syndicate. He also asked as to why Naidu was not demanding cancellation of licenses for benamis of liquor shop. He alleged that Naidu was not making such a demand as his party men were involved in the scam.
Stating that Naidu has lost power due to his irresponsible attitude, Botsa said that the people would strip Naidu of the post of Opposition Leader in the next elections if he continues with this behaviour.
To claim that he was born rich, Botsa said that his father has purchased 75 acres of land about 30 years ago from TDP's senior leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju. However, he said Naidu, who owned just two acres of land before entering politics and through corruption he became owner of 2,000 acres of land. He said that he never adopted illegal means to earn money. “I did not back stab my father-in-law to become the Chief Minister,” he said while comparing himself with Naidu.
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)
2012/5/21 7:16:14 Hyderabad, May 21 (INN): YSR Congress Party on Monday criticised Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal for his alleged remarks against weaker sections and challenged him to quit his Lok Sabha seat and seek a fresh mandate.
“The arrogant MP calling SCs as suitcases and BCs as brief cases is unpardonable and he should apologise to the weaker sections. We challenge him to quit his seat and seek a re-election which will show him his place,” YSRC SC Cell Convener Nalla Surya Prakash told reporters here.
It is unfortunate that Rajagopal should pass such remarks on BCs who form 50 per cent of the population and SCs who represent 22 per cent of the people. Should such a large chunk of people go against him, he will rejected outright if he seeks a re-election, Surya Prakash said.
His earlier victory was with the help of weaker sections, who were with YSR and Rajagopal himself had endorsed the leadership qualities of Rajasekhara Reddy. Now he is dancing to the tunes of high command and is speaking in a different voice.
Criticising YSR and YS Jaganmohan Reddy may be the party policy but once the weaker sections pull out their support he will bite the dust, he said.
Rajagopal who occupied a large extent of Wakf lands for his Lanco project in the city is also an accused in a solar power project scam in Rajasthan. A national magazine has published the irregularities he has resorted to in getting the seven solar power plants, he said.
Training his guns on V Hanumanth Rao, Surya Prakash said, “he has been passing remarks that show the arrogance of the Party and its leadership. However, people are with Jagan and the ensuing by-elections will show who stands where.”
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)
2011/9/15 8:45:53 Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
Mammotty's 40-second film with a message - Say No to Liquor and Say No to Drugs - was unveiled Thursday by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
"I always try to avoid such scenes but at times it becomes imperative to do it because the situation demands it," Mammootty said at the event.
"From now on I will do my best to avoid such scenes which depict liquor or liquor imposed scenes," added Mammootty, the top actor of the Malayalam film industry for two decades.
Pointing to director Priyadarshan at the event, Mammootty said: "You have to ask people like him (Priyadarshan) because they ask us to do this and that. But let me tell you, I will do my best to do away with such scenes."
Chandy said people should try to rid Kerala of the tag of being India's largest liquor consumer.
"Not long ago Kerala was known for the huge strides it made in literacy and its health status. But of late it has taken a back seat and we are now known as the top liquor consuming state.
"This has to change. We hope that promotional material like this (Mammootty's documentary) will do us a world of good," the chief minister said.
According to a report, liquor sales rose to all time high of Rs.6,730.30 crore in 2010-11 from Rs.5,539.85 crore in 2009-10. (IANS)
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 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'.
TDP politburo member K Yerran Naidu on Thursday ridiculed PCC Botsa Satyanarayana for his remarks that government was not at fault in the hooch tragedy which claimed18 tribals at Mylavaram in Krishna district.
AICC Secretary Ponguleti Sudhakar Reddy condemned the left parties for criticising the Congress party during their convention at Khammam.
Condemning Naidu for levelling charges against him in connection with the liquor syndicate, he said that no member from his family was involved with the liquor mafia.
Malayalam superstar Mammootty has produced a documentary asking people to shun liquor, and said he too would do so -- on the screen.
