TDP defers protest programmes

HYDERABAD: Opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu cancelled his scheduled press briefing on Wednesday as mourning is being observed for Prof Jayashankar.According to sources, Naidu wanted to brief the media about his views on the proposed Jan Lokpal Bill but he changed his mind at the last minute in view of the mourning period.“Chandrababu Naidu has cancelled his briefing as a mark of respect to the departed professor,” a TDP leader said.In view of the mourning, the Telugu Desam Party postponed its agitation on farmers’ issues to June 25, said TDP leader E Dayakar Rao. The party originally planned dharnas and rallies on farmers’ problems on June 23 and 24.Meanwhile, party general secretary Aravind Kumar Goud alleged that Congress leaders were collecting money from government employees to transfer them as per their choice. Two to three power centres were operating in the Congress and all of them opened collection centres, he charged.