Chandrababu Naidu raps leaders for slow pace of membership drive

Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday rapped on the knuckles of the party leaders for the slow progress in membership enrolment drive taken up by the Telugu Desam Party in the state.

At the party-government coordination committee meeting at his residence in Amaravati, the Chief Minister said the ministers should take the responsibility of membership enrollment in their respective districts. He inquired about the membership enrollment and expressed displeasure over the poor progress in some districts.  

He made it clear that all leaders without exception must work hard and strengthen the party by increasing the membership and by vigorously canvassing the development works and welfare schemes taken up by the government. Naidu made it clear to the ministers that they should take care of districts and their activities should not confine to their Assembly segments only. 

He tried to raise the confidence levels of party leaders as only months are left for the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls. He reminded them that all MLAs and ministers owe their positions to the party only. He asked the leaders not to neglect the party but put in efforts to strengthen the party.

"We are No. 1 in the implementation of welfare schemes in the country and top in ease of doing business but we are failing to campaign vigorously," he pointed out.  The Chief Minister said the TDP should have an edge in villages.

Referring to the achievements of the TD government, he said the state government was constructing 30 lakh houses at a cost of Rs.83,000 crore, pensions are being distributed to 50 lakh beneficiaries, ration is being distributed to 1.20 crore families. Welfare schemes in health and education departments are also being provided to the people.  "The TD government belongs to the poor. In fact, they should own the party," he said.  

The Chief Minister said the government would release nine white papers on nine subjects and asked the party men to campaign vigorously on the achievements of the Government. He said the leaders should not have over-confidence. "I am getting feedback regularly.

I am assessing the situation and know how to put a right man at the right place," he said and pointed out that the people have good opinion on the Government, but the problem lies with only leaders in taking the message to the people. He asked the leaders and workers to actively participate in Maa Vooru Janmabhoomi Programme next month and give wide publicity on the welfare schemes being implemented by the government.