ONGOLE: Addressing ‘Nammaka Droham - Kutra Rajakeeyalapai Dharma Porata Sabha’ (Fight against betrayal) here on Saturday, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu sought to know why the Centre was not according Special Category Status (SCS) to the State and implementing the AP Reorganisation Act in toto even as all the political parties across the nation were supporting the same.
Flaying the remarks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the TDP, Naidu asserted that the State government would not relent until the Centre fulfilling all the commitments made to AP at the time of bifurcation. “Though the revenue deficit of the State was calculated at around `16,000 crore, the Centre had only given around `4,000 crore to AP citing different causes. But, we would get all the dues from the Centre along with interest,’’ he said.
Taking strong exception to Modi calling him ‘Immature’, Naidu said, “I am striving for the development of the State. Who is immature. Whether you or me?”
Accusing the PM of failing to fulfil the promises made to the State, Naidu played the visuals of what Modi said during his election campaign in the State four years ago, including that of SCS to AP. He played the video clip of Modi’s comments on SCS and AP during his reply to the no-trust motion moved by the TDP against the BJP government and asked the people to notice the difference between his speech as the prime ministerial candidate and now as PM.
“Modi said he could not give SCS to AP because of the 14th Finance Commission report, though there was no such recommendation made by it. It is very sad that a man of PM’s stature is lying on the floor of Parliament,’’ Naidu said.
The Chief Minister, who also played the video clip of former PM Manmohan Singh giving assurances, including SCS to AP on the floor of Rajya Sabha while passing the bill in 2014 and the video clip of his address in the Rajya Sabha during the recent short duration discussion on the AP Reorganisation Act, said Singh clearly stated that SCS was promised to AP and it was done in consultation with the BJP expecting that the next PM would honour the commitment. Is it not the responsibility of Modi to honour the assurance of his predecessor? Naidu questioned.
Asserting that SCS is the right of AP, he wanted the PM not to hurt the people of the State, who were already affected by bifurcation. Stating that all the opposition parties across the country extended support to the no-confidence motion moved by the TDP, Naidu said his MPs explained to the nation the injustice meted out to AP and stood as the only party in the country that could shake the BJP.
Taking a dig at the opposition YSR Congress and Jana Sena, the Chief Minister alleged that both the parties colluded with the BJP affecting the interests of the State. Expressing grief over the suicide committed by Sudhakar from Chittoor district for the cause of SCS, the Chief Minister said some people are emotionally hurt because of betrayal by the Centre and appealed to the people not to resort to take such extreme steps. Announcing an ex gratia of `5 lakh for the suicide victim, the CM said another `5 lakh would be given to the bereaved family by the TDP.
Naidu’s posers
PM Modi announced to confiscate all the assets of corrupt people in the country within a year after coming to power. Why he failed to confiscate the assets of YSRC chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who amassed a huge wealth through corrupt means, if there is no collusion between the BJP and TDP
The State government passed a bill providing BC reservation to Kapus and sent the same to the Centre for approval. Now, people of the community should confront the
BJP leaders over the issue
Resignation by the YSRC MPs is nothing but a cowardly act and running away from responsibilities. Frightened to face Modi, the YSRC MPs quit their posts and limited to their houses. But, the TDP MPs will continue the fight against the
Centre in Parliament
The BJP leaders, who are sailing with YSRC, may be of the view that their political interests will not be affected in AP with TDP’s exit from NDA. But, the people will teach a lesson to the saffron party for the betrayal