Mining mafia looting AP, alleges Naidu

The Telugu Desam president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Monday said that the mining mafia was looting the state’s natural resources and using the ill-gotten wealth in politics.

Mr Naidu also said that Mr Rahul Gandhi should do a “Vedanta” in AP and ensure that the mining agreements in Bayyaram, Obulapuram and Visakhapatnam were cancelled.

The TD leader’s second foray into the Telangana region to expose irregularities in the Bayyaram mines was aimed at keeping the party flock together as his cadres are making a beeline for the TRS after the party’s dual stand on statehood. After Babli, Mr Naidu has now taken up the Bayyaram issue and plans to take up the issue of the allotment of bauxite mining lease to Jindal Industries in Visakhapatnam district and other such issues, party sources said.

“Mr Gandhi went to Orissa to take up the Girijans’ cause and ensured cancellation of the mining lease to Vedanta. But it’s unfortunate no such action was taken against the Jindals in Vizag, Obulapuram Mining Corporation in Anantapur and Rakshana Steels in Bayyaram,” he said.

He said Mr Gandhi should take similar steps in the State since the natural resources are being looted by few individuals with political patronage. Referring to the Central government’s action on Byyaram, he said the government is yet to cancel the lease completely.

“We will fight till the lease is cancelled. We will also take up similar agitations in other questionable mining leases. Byyaram is a case study where the Girijan lifeline is destroyed by some individuals and organisations with tacit support of the government. In some cases, innocent Girijans are being used to acquire the lease,’’ he said before leaving for Byyaram.

He also alleged that late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy had given the Byyaram mining lease on a platter to his son-in-law, Mr Anil Kumar which was a gross misuse of power. “The lease did not benefit local Girijans, government and the district,” he added.

He stated that the Telugu Desam would take up a series of agitations against illegal mining in the state in a phase manner, especially in Girijan areas and would enlighten Girijans about their rights.