HYDERABD, NOV. 28. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) has decided to step up its campaign to counter the TDP's criticism of the Government on irrigation tenders by targeting the former Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu's foundation-laying spree of irrigation projects during the last nine years.

Through a series of photo exhibitions, distribution of pamphlets and short video clippings of the pending irrigation projects, the CLP plans to expose the TD's alleged neglect of the irrigation sector. The short videos would be aired through local cable networks from next month.

A large number of photographs showing Mr. Naidu laying foundation stones on the eve of elections, poor allocation for the projects and a status report on the state of irrigation projects during the TD regime between 1996-2004 appears to have come in handy to counter the TD campaign.

Photo exhibition

Dr. Reddy, as the then Leader of the Opposition, had visited eight districts and planted saplings near the foundation stones as a symbolic protest. A photo exhibition of the photographs on the premises of the CLP during the winter session of the Assembly would be the best way of embarrassing the TD, the party leaders felt.

Meanwhile - the party MLAs -- B.Veda Vyas and Sunita Laxma Reddy -- alleged that the TD appeared bent on obstructing construction of irrigation projects. They accused the TD leadership of provoking people to approach court to stall the works.

Ms. Sunita Reddy recalled Mr. Naidu's statement in the Assembly on December 31, 1995, that all pending irrigation projects would be completed in the fast track mode by 2000. "What happened to the promise?" she asked.