Naidu says he is ready to debate YSR's corruption

Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday announced that he was ready for open discussion on corruption that took place during the regime of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Talking to media persons at NTR Trust Bhavan after swearing in ceremony of Eluru MLA Ambika Krishna as president of TDP's Business wing, Naidu said compared to other chief ministers, YSR's stint was full of  corruption. The State went back 30 years during YSR's regime as the Chief Minister, he alleged.

However, Naidu denied making any derogatory remarks against Rajasekhara Reddy. He said he has only mentioned about a 'wild boar' to compare the damage that State has suffered during YSR's regime. “My fight is not against individuals. I'm fight against the wrong policies which have caused huge damage to the State's exchequer,” he said.

Naidu also alleged that YSR was hand-in-glove with former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy in carrying out illegal iron ore mining. The TDP chief expressed solidarity with the agitation of textile merchants who are demanding exemption from VAT.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambika Krishna said that the taxes and VAT hiked by the State Government was adding more burden on the traders and industrialists.