Botsa denies misusing official machinery for daughter's marriage

Pradesh Congress Committee president Botsa Satyanarayana on Wednesday offered to apologise publicly if the opposition parties proved the charges of misuse of official machinery during his daughter’s marriage.

Addressing a press conference at Gandhi Bhavan, Botsa said the opposition parties, especialy the Telugu Desam and YSR Congress parties, were levelling baseless charges against him. He said no official machinery was used during his daughter's marriage in Vizianagaram and he did never abuse his official status. Stating that he was ready to apologise publicly by bowing down his head, he challenged the opposition parties to prove the allegations against him.

Botsa also slammed a section of media for carrying baseless reports about his removal from the post along with replacement of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy. He described those reports as mere media speculation. However, he said some Congress leaders with vested interest were also triggering such rumours in the media.

The PCC president also defended the State Government for its role in dealing with the cyclone Nilam. He said it was due to the efforts of government that the loss of human lives could be minimised. He said although the Met Department issued alert for three districts, cyclone Nilam left its impact on 10 districts. However, he said that the government has been taking all steps to help the victims, especially the affected farmers. He said Congress president Sonia Gandhi has directed the Congress leaders and workers to participate in the relief and rehabilitation works in their areas.

Botsa also informed that the party's membership drive, which was stopped due to cyclone Nilam, would be resumed from November 14.