HYDERABAD: Union minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday performed a delicate balancing act, attempting to keep Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana, N Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrasekhar Rao, in good humour.
At a time when all opposition parties in AP are cornering Chandrababu Naidu over the ‘call money’ scam that shook the State, the BJP veteran threw his weight behind the TDP supremo, while calling upon all politicos not to politicise the issue. “Leaders from political parties are indulging in a blame game accusing each other of protecting the accused in the call money scam. It is not a good development. AP Chief Minister Naidu has already said that action would be taken against the culprits, once the probe is over. Therefore leaders should stop blaming each other and support the investigation,” said Venkaiah. The silver-tongued politico also lent his support to Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao, whose decision to perform Ayutha Chandi Yagam on a grand scale has invited the wrath of opposition parties in the new State.
“Performing Chandi Yagam is a very good tradition. It is positive sign. I congratulate KCR on making arrangements for the Yagam on such a grand scale,” Venkaiah said lauding the TS Chief Minister at a press conference here on Sunday.
“Though I personally do not conduct any Yagams, I support and appreciate people who perform such Yagams. I got an invitation from KCR to attend the Yagam and as a Hindu and Telugu person I will surely attend the Yagam,” said Venkaiah, replying to a query from media persons.
Refering to the repeated disruption of Parliament proceedings, which has blocked the passage of GST bill, the minister said the Congress party was disrupting proceedings in Parliament to divert people’s attention from the actual issues.
“Congress President Sonia Gandhi alleged that NDA is pursuing vendetta politics, while it is Congress which is actually indulging in vendetta politics. Unable to digest the good work being done by Prime Minister Modi and the mandate given by people to NDA, Congress is disrupting Parliament session to halt passage of many Bills which will help the people,” he claimed.
Venkaiah Naidu came down heavily on Congress leadership, saying that Congress is trying to get political mileage out of the National Herald case.
“Summons have been issued to many leaders earlier in various cases. NDA has nothing to do with the National Herald case. Congress is unnecessarily blaming the NDA and Prime Minister Modi. They are also trying to influence the court which is a very bad precedent. What is the need for protests and show of strength when Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi went to the court? It is very unbecoming of Congress leaders,” he lambasted.
He said the tactics employed by Congress will boomerang on them.