Naidu breaks down, vows not to attend House till back in power

HYDERABAD: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu broke down on Friday as he walked out of the state assembly vowing not to re-enter the House for the rest of its term over the abusive comments ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) members allegedly made about his wife.

“I will not attend this assembly hereafter. I will return to the House only after becoming the chief minister,” said Naidu, 71. He fought back tears before walking out of the assembly with folded hands during a debate on the women empowerment on the second day of the assembly’s ongoing winter session.

Naidu was unable to speak for a few minutes as he covered his face after breaking down while addressing a press conference at the TDP state headquarters. He said his wife had never been in politics. “Except encouraging me in every step of my life, she never interfered in politics, whether I was in or out of power. Yet they tried to humiliate her,” Naidu said.

“What is more unfortunate is that the Speaker remained a mute spectator when the ruling party members were hurling abuses, even dragging my wife’s name

. He did not even give me an opportunity to speak and make a statement on my decision to stay away from the assembly for the rest of the term,” he said.

The TDP chief said he has been concerned about safeguarding his dignity and prestige. “I have been facing humiliations for the last two and a half years.

When my dignity is compromised, there is no point in attending the assembly... I will return to the assembly only after obtaining the mandate of the people as the chief minister.”

Terming Naidu’s emotional outburst and decision top boycott the assembly as a “big drama”, YSRCP chief and chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “The opposition leader wants to utilise every small issue to gain political advantage.”

Speaking in the assembly after the TDP chief walked out of the House, Reddy said, “The people have given clear verdict against him. In the latest elections in Kuppam, they taught him a fitting lesson.

Even in the state legislative council, the TDP’s strength has come down drastically. Unable to tolerate this humiliating defeat, Naidu has gone into a frustrated mood, unable to understand what he is talking.”