Pained Chandrababu Naidu calls upon people to protest against ‘arrogant’ PM Modi

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called upon the people to take out protests on Saturday opposing the Centre’s attitude and vowed to continue the “struggle” until justice was served to the State
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu (File | PTI)
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu (File | PTI)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has called upon the people to take out protests on Saturday opposing the Centre’s attitude and vowed to continue the “struggle” until justice was served to the State. Speaking at a press conference late in the night after the debate in the Lok Sabha, he hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“He talked in a derogatory manner on Andhra Pradesh. His remarks are painful. He launched a counter-attack on me claiming I took a U-turn. He claimed we moved the motion to unseat him and that we are arrogant. I am not. He is. We moved the motion as a last resort to get justice,” he said.

Refuting the PM’s remarks on the conflict between him and Telangana CM K Chandrasekhar Rao, Naidu said he had merely asked the Centre to negotiate with the two and ensure justice for both States. Launching a scathing attack, he asked the PM if he had done anything for the State in the last four years and condemned his argument on special status to the State.

“It is false to say that the 14th Finance Commission had recommended not to grant special status. Why couldn’t the PM say that he is doing justice to AP? Why such arrogance? It was painful to watch a PM talk in such a cheap manner,” he added. Confirming the conversation he had with the PM after his exit from the NDA, Naidu found fault with Modi for “seeking to politicise” when the reason for the TDP’s decision was a denial of AP’s rights.

“How could they equate TDP with a graft-tainted party (YSRC)?” he questioned and felt that the PM ought to have listened when he was informed of the State’s concerns. He also alleged that the PM was in cohorts with the YSRC.

Clarifying why he had to demand special status after accepting the special package, he explained, “I made it clear that there would be no compromise on special status. I asked for a grant of all that was available under the special status. Why did you continue special status for 11 states and denied the same for AP? The special package was announced only after we were assured of all benefits that accrue under a special status. It was only after even this was not being given that we had to launch Dharma Poratam to get justice for the State.”

He further found fault with the YSRC and actor Pawan Kalyan’s Jana Sena. “Where are they today?” he questioned. The Chief Minister hinted that he could visit Delhi and said it was perhaps the first time that a no-confidence motion moved a regional party had garnered so much support in Parliament.

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