Andhra CM alleges conspiracy

Democracy under threat, Naidu says as he meets leaders of other parties in Delhi

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu yesterday took his fight to the national capital, New Delhi, where he alleged the Narendra Modi-led government was trying to pull down his government by creating an issue of law and order.

Naidu, who met senior leaders of different political parties including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati, to discuss the current political situation in the state, also alleged the Modi government was using the Income Tax Department, Enforcement Directorate and other agencies to target political opponents in different states including Andhra Pradesh.

‘Political compulsion’

Referring to the series of raids by the IT department over the recent weeks against the leaders of his Telugu Desam Party, Naidu said, “Democracy is under serious threat. They may even attack me”.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the attack on YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, saying it was also part of the conspiracy to destabilise the government in Andhra Pradesh.

He decried BJP leaders for demanding the dismissal of his government and said that all sorts of parties were involved in the conspiracy to topple his government.

Regarding his visit to Delhi, Naidu said, “I am here to educate the nation about what was happening in the state. I am not here to complain. This is just beginning. I will continue to fight and take it to logical conclusion.”

He defended the TDP’s alliance with the Congress party in Telangana, calling it a “political and democratic compulsion”.