TDP welcomes SIT on black money; says will work to curb graft

HYDERABAD: Stressing that poverty alleviation would become a reality only by rooting out corruption, TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu today vowed to work in that direction as he welcomed the Centre's decision to constitute a Special Investigation Team on black money.

"All the black money stashed in foreign and tax-haven countries should be brought back to India. The money can be utilised to develop under-developed areas in the country and also for poverty alleviation," Chandrababu asserted while delivering valedictory address at the TDP's two-day annual conclave Mahanadu at Gandipet, 25 km from here, today.

"I totally welcome the Centre's decision to constitute a SIT on black money. I fully support it and want the black money brought back to the country," he added.

Lamenting that corruption has become a bane for the country, Chandrababu said India would emerge as a poverty-free country if it became a corruption-free country.

"I will strive to make India a corruption-free country," he said, amidst applause from party cadres.

Meanwhile, the Mahanadu adopted a resolution approving the move to transform TDP into a national party.

Politburo member Yanamala Ramakrishnudu moved the resolution saying there was every need for the TDP to become a national party in the prevailing political scenario in the country.

"Some national parties could not win even two Parliament seats across the country. We are a strong party in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and won 16 Lok Sabha seats in the recent elections. We can also spread to other states where there is sizeable presence of Telugu people," he said.

The TDP will now apply to the Election Commission of India seeking recognition as a national party, sources said.