Visakhapatnam: Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao blames Naidu for postponement of local body polls

Visakhapatnam: Tourism Minister Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao has said that TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu was so scared of local body elections that he got it postponed through people supporting him.

Speaking at a review meeting held at the Collectorate here on Thursday, he said, "Had State Election Commissioner (SEC) waited for two days, the election process would have been completed."

On the court's verdict, the Minister said a section of media and officials were twisting facts to suit their interest. Court had asked the SEC how it could defer the local body elections and still the model code of conduct remained in vogue. "However, it was twisted out of shape to say that the court had reprimanded the government which is not true," he mentioned.

Srinivasa Rao wondered how the TDP is skilled enough to twist the rules to suit its needs and how the elections could be postponed despite the ruling party winning with a thumping majority in the general elections. He accused the TDP of creating fake letters and sending them to the Central government in the name of SEC.

"While SEC N Ramesh Kumar had clearly stated that he had nothing to do with the letter purportedly sent to the Centre, the Minister wondered who had sent the letter," he added.

The Minister saw a bigger controversy behind the letter. "Naidu should behave in a humble manner in tune with his age and stop misleading the public," he added.

About COVID-19 preparedness, Srinivasa Rao said that the district machinery was fully geared up to tackle coronavirus. "Screening facility has been arranged at all the railway and bus stations and other places where the movement of public is involved. Every passenger is being screened without any slips. We are setting up isolation wards in Agency area, including Paderu and Araku Valley. Along with government-run hospitals, arrangements are in place for setting up isolation wards in private hospitals. Necessary orders have been issued to this effect. COVID-19 diagnostic equipment is being installed at King George Hospital," he stated.

Further, the Minister said that awareness was being created through several platforms. "People need not panic but need to be cautious and take preventive measures," he added.

Speaking on the occasion, District Collector V Vinay Chand said, "The 185 passengers who arrived from Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday to Visakhapatnam airport are being kept under home quarantine. As per Government of India guidelines, those who do not show signs of corona will be sent to their respective places. As of now, there are six suspects in the district," he mentioned.

The review meeting was attended by GVMC in-charge Commissioner P Koteswara Rao, VMRDA Chairman Dronamraju Srinivasa Rao, District Medical Health Officer S Tirupathi Rao and other officials.