Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

BJP only wants allies whom it can control, says Naidu

- Kumar Uttam and Prashant Jha letters@hindustant­imes.com

ARMTWISTIN­G Attacks saffron party for partnering tainted, weak parties; says YSRC chief entangled in ₹43Kcr fraud

In his sharpest attack on the BJP after his exit from the National Democratic Alliance, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrabab­au Naidu claimed that the BJP wants weak allies and ‘tainted’ people whom it can control. He claimed YSR Congress, whose chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is embroiled in ‘₹43,000-crore fraud case’, had access to the Prime Minister’s office and this government had “some connection’ with them.

The Telugu Desam Party leader said Narendra Modi’s party was within its right to “dream about growing”, but the way it deal with allies was wrong. He also said that the people of Andhra were ‘wounded’, had suffered and it was the responsibi­lity of all parties who had passed the Bifurcatio­n Act to fulfill their promises to Andhra Pradesh.

“They want some weak allies. YSR Congress is there. They supported this government for president and vice president even. They have cases in CBI, ED and everywhere. Around 43,000 crore fraud has been establishe­d by CBI. Now, every Friday, they are going to court. This government is having some connection with

NEW DELHI:

them. You can control tainted people, and at the same time, you can do harm for the state,” Naidu said, adding any “good leader” would ask the questions he is asking today.

The TDP leader said his party and the BJP had an alliance in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, but the former ended it in Telangana abruptly even without informing him about it. “Is it fair? Without informing as ally can you do like that,” Naidu said. “Ambition to grow is one thing but doing things this way is not acceptable, not right approach.”

Naidu said Modi government was “depending on TDP” and should not have treated his party like this. “Ours was a pre-election alliance and it was a collective mandate that we got,” he said.

Naidu has been in Delhi for the last two days to whip up support for his demand for a special category status to Andhra Pradesh, which the Narendra Modi government has refused citing constraint­s under the 14th Finance Commission. Naidu said its chairman and members have said there was no such bar.

“There is a commitment for Andhra. Bifurcatio­n has been done in an unscientif­ic way. Even today, without our mistake, we have been punished,” he said.

 ?? ARVIND YADAV/HT ?? Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrabab­u Naidu at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.
ARVIND YADAV/HT Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrabab­u Naidu at a press conference in New Delhi on Wednesday.
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India