The Deccan Chronicle 30.08.2010
Protests disrupt colony openingHyderabad, Aug. 29: The inauguration of the model housing colony comprising 4,808 flats for urban poor families at Abdullapurmet in Ranga Reddy district was marred by protests and slogans by YSR-Jagan loyalists on Sunday.
The inauguration was attended by the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, the Union Ministers, Mr Jaipal Reddy and Ms K. Selja, and ministers from the state Mr Danam Nagender, Mr Anam Ramanarayan Reddy among others. The dignitaries were on the dais when slogans of “CM down down, YSR Amar Hai and Jagan zindabad,” were raised.
Youth Congress activists were protesting that a portrait or even a photograph of YSR had not been placed among the banners, posters and other hoardings set up at the venue including the main banner behind the dais.
According to the Youth Congress activists, housing for the urban poor was the brain child of YSR and they alleged that it was a deliberate slight by the government. “How could the ruling party forget him at a programme which was the dream project of Dr YSR?” they asked.
The activists interrupted the ministers’ speeches on several occasions and the police had to forcibly evict them later.
It all started when the inauguration ceremony got underway. Reacting sharply to the protests, Mr Rosaiah said, “YSR has not been forgotten. We are not so foolish as to forget a leader of his stature. We are continuing all the welfare schemes launched by the former chief minister such as Rs 2 per kg rice, pavala vaddi, Arogyasri scheme and among others.”
