Centre using I-T dept to threaten us, alleges AP CM
Amaravati (AP), Oct 15: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday accused the Centre of using Income Tax raids to threaten the state for demanding its rights and said it was not right to adopt a 'vengeful' attitude.
In his weekly teleconference with top bureaucrats and public representatives on "Neeru-Pragati" (water and progress) where he shared his views on various issues, he also turned philosophical, saying only dharma, justice and good work would remain permanent.
His charge against the Centre comes days after the Income Tax department conducted searches at the premises of ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Rajya Sabha member CM Ramesh in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on October 12.
We are able to handle the Nature, but we are unable to handle politics. On one hand, the state is faced with problems caused by the bifurcation and on the other hand, natural calamities surrounded us. We have been overcoming them with a determination, he said referring to the devastation caused by severe cyclone Titli last week.
In a veiled attack on the Congress and BJP, he said while one national party (Congress) meted out 'injustice' to the state then (through bifurcation to create Telangana), another national party (BJP) was rendering injustice now through non-cooperation, the Chief Minister said.
"They (the Centre) are attacking us when we are demanding our rights. They are threatening us by conducting Income Tax raids. This is not democratic spirit," Naidu, who quit the NDA over the special category status demand, charged.
One should compete in development and resolving peoples problems but it was not right to adopt a vengeful attitude, he said.
Ultimately, only dharma, justice and the good work (we do) will remain permanent, the chief minister said.
Noting that the state could make effective use of latest technology in assessing the exact landfall of the severe cyclone Titli, the Chief Minister said it helped in minimising the loss of lives.
He also lectured officials on the need to build leadership qualities and the capability to overcome crises.
People should feel that officials were here to render social service and not merely to collect salaries, the Chief Minister told the officials.
He directed them to work tirelessly till normalcy was fully restored in the cyclone-hit areas.
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Violence reported in several parts of Kerala after civic poll results
Kozhikode (PTI): Violence erupted overnight at various places across Kerala, particularly in northern districts, following the announcement of local body election results, police said.
In Eramala in Kozhikode district, tension prevailed throughout the night after the Indira Gandhi Bhavan, a Congress office, was allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers.
According to an FIR registered at Edachery police station, around 200 people marched towards the Congress office carrying dangerous weapons and vandalised the building, causing damage estimated at around Rs five lakh.
A statue of late prime minister Indira Gandhi was also damaged in the attack, police said. Soon after, UDF activists gathered at the spot, further aggravating the situation.
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However, with the deployment of additional police personnel, the situation was brought under control, an officer said.
Police said another violent incident was reported at Marad, where stones were allegedly pelted at a UDF victory procession, leaving several persons injured.
In Sultan Bathery in Wayanad district, police registered a case after a car carrying a UDF activist and his family members was allegedly attacked by around 40 CPI(M) workers, an official said.
Sultan Bathery police also booked UDF activists in a separate incident for allegedly attacking a CPI(M) worker who objected to the bursting of crackers near his house, the officer said.
In Panoor in Kannur district, houses of several Muslim League activists were allegedly attacked by CPI(M) workers. Vehicles parked at the houses were also damaged.
According to Panoor police, the violence broke out after a UDF victory rally was allegedly stopped by CPI(M) workers armed with swords and daggers. Some UDF leaders sustained injuries in the clash.
Clashes were also reported between UDF and LDF workers at Ulikkal in Kannur district, though police intervention brought the situation under control later in the night, an officer in the Ulikkal police station said.
In Bedakom in Kasaragod district, an LDF victory march turned violent after CPI(M) activists allegedly intercepted UDF workers passing through the area. Some policemen who intervened suffered minor injuries, an officer said.
Similar violence was reported from Neyyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram district following clashes between CPI(M) and BJP workers. Police said workers from both sides sustained minor injuries and were admitted to hospitals. Cases will be registered after formal complaints are received, police said.
