Kakinada, Aug 30th: The Telugu Desam objected to the remarks made by Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi against its supreme, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, that the latter had not had the vision for demanding the state’s share in gas exploration in the Krishna Godavari basin. Speaking to newsmen here on Sunday, the TD politburo member, Mr. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that Chiranjeevi was no match to the political expediency, skills and experience of Naidu in leading the state.

Clarifying the TD stand on the gas issue in the KG basin, Mr. Ramakrishnudu stated that it was during the TD regime that exploration of gas in the KG basin took place and the question of demanding the state’s share and royalty did not arise then. The TD had demanded the state’s share with the companies involved in exploring gas and an agreement to this effect was also entered in 2000.

The TD leader reiterated his demand for payment of royalty and transit charges for laying pipelines in the state in addition to the state’s share in gas, and said that the TD would be taking up a fight on all these three demands with Center and state government, he also demanded disclosure of original documents of agreement entered into with RIL by the center and government’s policy in dealing with the issue.