Venkaiah says tough rules ahead

Hyderabad: Union urban affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu  on Sunday asked the people to be ready to swallow a bitter pill if need be, as the NDA government is committed to improve the economy of the  country including strengthening the rupee value.

Addressing a meeting at the state BJP headquarters to celebrate the birth anniversary  of the late Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Mr Naidu said setting the derailed economy on track cannot be achieved overnight and added that the Centre will need to take some drastic and tough decisions for which he sought people’s cooperation.

He blamed the UPA misrule of the last decade,  their policies and corruption for the present state of economic affairs in the country which needs urgent remedial actions.

Mr Naidu also held the UPA responsible for the abnormal increase of  food items and prices of  essential commodities.

Mr Naidu was also critical of certain governments providing reservations based on religion and said, “It is banned by the Constitution and no government can go ahead with providing  reservations on religious lines.”

Commenting on the Congress leaders’ statements of approaching the court to get Leader of  Opposition status in the Lok Sabha, Mr Naidu, who  also holds Parliamentary  Affairs portfolio said, “They can approach court with an appeal to provide Prime Minister post also to the Congress. It has been repeatedly said that  only Lok Sabha Speaker is enpowered to offer Lea-der of Opposition status and no one else.”