Naidu On Populist Binge, Cong Cries Foul

The 19th phase of the 10-day Janmabhoomi programme with special focus on farmers and women began today across Andhra Pradesh amid allegations that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had planned it to serve his political ambitions.

The politics of competitive populism has come into the focus in the state following the 68-day padyatra by Congress leader YS Rajasekhar Reddy that concluded on June 15.

Reddy during his 1,400-km yatra strove to lay bare the