No damage to Congress from fasts: Ponguleti

All India Congress Committee secretary and MLC Ponguleti Sudhakar on Tuesday appealed to Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababau Naidu to end his fast, while added that he sees no damage to the Congress party from the hunger strikes launched by the TDP chief and former Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy for the cause of rain-hit farmers.

Talking to media persons at the CLP Office, the senior Congress leader said that the people of the state know how the Central and state government worked for the welfare of farmers and stated that these measures will stand in the party’s good stead with the people.

Describing the performance of the United Progressive Alliance government as far better when compared to that of the National Democratic Alliance, particularly when the welfare of farmers was concerned, Mr Sudhakar appealed to Mr Naidu to withdraw his fast and cooperate with government in addressing the farmers’ demands.

Reacting to the participation of many Congress leaders in the ‘Lakshya Deeksha’ held by Mr Jaganmohan Reddy at Vijayawada, the senior leader said the High Command was watching all the developments in the state and would initiate disciplinary action against erring leaders at an appropriate time.

Hailing Congress president Sonia Gandhi for making the 83rd plenary session a ‘memorable’ even, he said the leadership qualities of the party chief once against come to light with this event.

The AICC member also hailed the decision of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to personally appear before the Public Accounts Committee to give his version on 2G Spectrum scam.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Gandra Venkatram Reddy urged Mr Naidu withdraw his hunger fast as the government would take all measures for the welfare of farmers.

He said that a delegation of Congress MPs would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh soon, to bring all problems of farmers to the notice of Centre.

Mr Venkatram Reddy also stated that Congress president Sonia Gandhi was in favour of announcing Telangana state.