Jana Reddy upset over KTR's 'Alibaba and 40 Thieves' remark

Hyderabad: Leader of Opposition in the Assembly K Jana Reddy on Thursday took serious objection to IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao calling the Congress a party of ‘Alibaba and 40 Thieves’.

“This is the last time I am holding a press conference to react to what KTR says about us,” Jana Reddy declared, adding that the press meet followed many messages he received asking why he was quiet on the matter. “It is beneath my status and dignity to react to such comments. But my initial reluctance to speak on the subject should not be perceived as weakness on my part or Congress,” Jana Reddy said.

The Congress leader said he was responsible for ensuring irrigation to 1,70,000 acres in undivided Andhra Pradesh. He also said it was the Congress that first took steps to solve the problem of excess fluoride in Nalgonda district.

“Even before TRS was born, we were the ones who initiated several research projects on the fluoride issue. In 2004-05, we introduced several schemes and released Rs 200 crore and ensured the funds reached all villages,” he said.

“I was the one who laid the foundation stone for the 66 schemes inaugurated by KTR on Wednesday. I was the one who released Rs 100 crore for them. Foundation stones for several other drinking water schemes being inaugurated by TRS leaders were laid by me. It was also the Congress government that brought Krishna water to Hyderabad to meet the drinking water needs of the city,” Jana Reddy claimed.

He warned the TRS that once Congress comes back to power, the TRS would cease to exist and that all the current ruling party leaders will join Congress.