In an interview with The New Indian Express, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu speaks on issues concerning states and how the NDA government has failed to meet the aspirations of the entire nation and how the TDP will continue its fight against the injustice done to the people of the state and will take it to the logical conclusion.
You said that the Centre should review its decision on the special status to Andhra. Would you join NDA again if that happens?
They have to do it. It is their responsibility as injustice has been done. It is our right. Is it not the responsibility of the PM (to implement it) and what is the credibility of the PM? You are not implementing the assurance given by the honourable PM (Manmohan Singh) of that time. You are not implementing that you promised during elections and what is the credibility. You are playing political games at the cost of the people of Andhra Pradesh but you may not gain.
Are you open to joining hands with a regional parties’ front ahead of the 2019 elections?
Whenever there is failure of the Central government, naturally aspirations of people have to be fulfilled and the only way is to fight and take it to its logical conclusion. Why they are not doing it (fulfilling AP’s demand) is that they have to grow in the state. And because of that, in Telangana, without even informing me, they broke alliance and it is very bad.
You want to grow in the state that is why special status is not being given. You do everything, I don’t mind, but by not doing anything because if they do, my image will increase, ultimately, you are hurting Andhra Pradesh. This is the dubious game you are playing and it is not good for the nation.
Was there a difference in working with the leadership during NDA I and NDA II?
During NDA I rule, I never asked for any favours. At that time, we had 29 MPs but I never asked for a Cabinet berth. Now, they are openly saying they want to grow in AP at the cost of the state. When you will grow, I will fail and you wanted to make me fail. I am doing my best and the only way to make me fail is tighten the resources. All resources, if you tighten then people will think that I am inefficient to get all resources.
I am demanding now and they are attacking me. They are making so many allegations on corruption and underutilization of funds. Why are you not giving special status?
Does Congress still remain untouchable for you?
We fight with people of different ideologies in different states and so many things happen sometimes in political transformation. I have seen politics for so many years and you cannot play politics with me. You can do fair politics, I have seen United Front, National Front, UPA -I and II but have always focused on development.
What is your future course of action?
It is a continuous effort and we will take it to its logical conclusion. We will fight and people think it’s their right and the sentiments of the people are very important. For 60 years, we have struggled to build up Hyderabad and suddenly you asked them to go with a burden of debt. Why are you hurting our sentiments? The Congress Party did same and they were punished.