The News Minute | February 9, 2015 | 8:30 am ISTCPI(M) politburo member Sitaram Yechury demanded an explanation from AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu for why he would like to replicate Singapore, when the state coffers were empty.Addressing the inaugural session of the two-day AP state conference of the party in Vijayawada on Sunday, Yechury lashed out on Naidu for his silence on the special package for the state promised in the AP Reorganisation Act.Yechury also strongly criticized Naidu's move of taking over agricultural land for the proposed capital which is already witnessing resistance and from some farmers. The CPI(M) leader also alleged that the NDA government is helping industrialists and corporate houses by scrapping pro-poor policies and schemes. Commenting on the state of financial affairs in the state, Yechury blamed the TDP led government of imposing heavy taxes and burdening the common man.The state government in a bid to fill up its empty coffers, hiked fuel prices in the state late on February 5, by Rs 4 per litre each of petrol and diesel.Reports also suggest that a proposal by AP distribution companies of a six per cent hike on existing power tariff for middle, upper classes as well as industrial and commercial consumers, is being considered as it would mean, earning an extra Rs1,261 crore.The CPI(M) has chalked up ambitious expansion plans in the two states of Telangana and AP and is going to hold a similar state conference in Telangana between February 26 and March 1. TweetFollow @thenewsminute