Stating that he would rub his nose on the Clock Tower Road in Mahabubnagar town if Telangana TDP leaders can prove that they spent at least Rs 10 crore on irrigation projects in the district, Major Industries Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Friday dared TDP leader Ravula Chandrashekar for a debate at the NTR Trust Bhavan on Saturday.

-I am ready to rub my nose on the road at �?Gadiyaram Chowk’ in Mahabubnagar town if the TDP leaders can show evidence that they have spent Rs 10 crore on projects in Mahabubnagar district

-Instead of writing an open letter, the Telangana TDP leaders should ask their party president to write a letter to the Centre informing that they have no objection to the construction of Palamur project

The minister took exception to the open letter written by the TDP leader claiming to have constructed several projects like Dindi, Koilsagar and other canals. Krishna Rao said that Dindi project was sanctioned in 1985 and since then TDP was in power for 18 years, of which N Chandrababu Naidu ruled nine years. “I am ready to rub my nose on the road at �?Gadiyaram Chowk’ in Mahabubnagar town if the TDP leaders can show evidence that they have spent Rs 10 crore on projects in Mahabubnagar district,” said Krishna Rao.

Addressing a press conference, the minister dared the TDP leaders for a debate on irrigation projects in the district. “I will come to NTR Trust Bhavan at 10 am on Saturday. Call your �?pedda babu’ or �?chinna babu’ or either you yourself can come for an open debate on the project,” said Krishna Rao. He said that instead of writing an open letter, the Telangana TDP leaders should ask their party president to write a letter to the Centre informing that they have no objection to the construction of Palamur project.

“Chandrababu Naidu, whenever he talks, spreads lies and does acting and drama. He laid foundation stone for several projects before elections. Naidu laid foundation for projects in Mahabubnagar in 1994 and again in July 1999. He laid same foundation stones even before the 2004 elections and before September 2003,” alleged Krishna Rao. He said that neither Ravula Chandrashekar nor his party had the moral right to talk on irrigation projects in Mahabubnagar district.

The minister also said that with Ravula’s letter one thing was clear. “The TDP does not want the Palamur project to be taken up,” he said. The minister alleged that the TDP leader’s party and his leader were causing obstacles in the development process of Telangana. MLC B Venkateshwarlu alleged that the TDP leaders were deliberately trying to disturb the TRS government with issues one after another. This is an attempt to divert the attention of people from the cash-for-vote case, said Venkateshwarlu.