Anantapur: Telugu Desam general secretary Nara Lokesh stressed the need to withdraw Rs 2,000 notes which he said would further lead to increase in black money in the country.

The TD general secretary observed that even new Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 notes should be banned as only Rs 100 notes are enough in the markets to curb illicit money.

The Telugu Desam general secretary, during interaction with the students, said his party MPs would raise the issue demanding to withdraw the Rs 2,000 notes in the present Winter Session. He recalled that Telugu Desam was the only party with a clear stand against Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes and increased black money stocks with various sections. Inviting the decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TD leader said the country would help to Act against black money. He clarified that the handsome gifts he received on his son’s birth were all from close family members.

Replying to a question of his reaction to a daughter instead of son he light-heartedly said that he prayed for a daughter but was blessed with a son. “I wanted a baby girl because I have no siblings.”

After the interaction with students, Mr Lokesh interacted with the family members of party cadres who recently died due to various reasons. He had a mass meal with the family members.

Mr Lokesh took part in the party district committee meeting. Speaking on the occasion, IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said the TD had crossed 50 lakh number of party cadres through enrolment which was achieved only because of Mr Lokesh’s efforts. Later, Mr Lokesh participated in a rally at Bandameedapalle in Rapthadu mandal in the district. Ministers Paritala Sunitha, Kollu Ravindra, Palle Raghunatha Reddy and MLAs accompanied the leader.