Chief minister K. Rosaiah on Wednesday rubbished the Opposition's claim that his government is lenient towards errant Micro Finance Institutions because of Rahul Gandhi's "proximity" to it, saying the AICC general secretary does not have "any love" for MFIs.
"I don't think Rahul has any love or affection for MFIs. His only interest is in rural development and uplifting women," Mr Rosaiah told a press conference here.
He was reacting to the allegations from Opposition parties that the state government was not cracking down effectively on errant MFIs due to Mr Gandhi's "proximity" to non-banking finance institutes that allegedly charged usurious rates of interest on small loans.
More than 40 people, mostly from rural areas, who took loans from MFIs committed suicide following alleged harassment from lenders for repayment.
Though the state government promulgated an ordinance last week to rein in the errant MFIs, it could not take any further action as the move was challenged in the high court.
"We have taken up the issue very seriously. I personally spoke to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, RBI governor D. Subba Rao and wrote to Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee seeking their intervention. I may meet Mukherjee personally in a week to discuss the MFIs issue," Mr Rosaiah said.
He also came down heavily on Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu, who criticised Dr Singh after the TDP chief failed to get an appointment to present a memorandum to PM on his recent visit to the state.
"Manmohan Singh is widely respected not only in all the developing countries but also the developed nations. "The request for appointment was made only on October 18, though the PM's programme was announced days ahead. Moreover, Mr Chandrababu did not even sign the request letter, rather his private secretary did it. Since Prime Minister's itinerary was fixed, the TDP leader's request could not be conceded," the chief minister said.
On denial to TDP from holding protest at Begumpet airport after Naidu claimed that he was not allowed to meet the Prime Minister, Mr Rosaiah said he had written a letter personally to the TDP chief, inviting him to see off Dr Singh at the airport.
"Had Babu been sincere about representing the farmers' and other issues, he would have come to the airport. But his intentions are something else."
The chief minister advised Mr Naidu to behave well and protect his dignity. "I have been tolerating him for the last few months. He is in a state of frustration and so I was considerate. He should try to behave well and protect his dignity."