The Hindu (Vijayawada)

Our flags are different but agenda is common, says Naidu at Praja Galam

Narendra Modi is a force who is transformi­ng India into a global power, says TDP chief at public meeting in Palnadu; this is the first time in many years for both the leaders to share the dais

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“Our flags may be different but we have a common agenda, which is the welfare of people,” Telugu Desam Party (TDP) national president N. Chandrabab­u Naidu said here at a massive gathering on Sunday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in attendance.

Mr. Naidu was referring to his party’s alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Jana Sena Party (JSP). Addressing a ‘Praja Galam’ gathering at Boppudi village, Mr. Naidu said that there was “no longer any doubt that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was going to form the government, both at the Centre and in Andhra Pradesh”.

This was the first time that Mr. Naidu and Mr. Modi shared the dais after many years, ever since the TDP chief famously walked out of the NDA in 2018 in protest over the Centre not according Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh.

Welcoming Mr. Modi to Andhra Pradesh “on behalf of its five crore people”, the TDP supremo said that the meeting was being held to symbolical­ly lay the platform for reconstruc­tion of the State, and to see that the dreams of the people of the State are realised. Stating that the TDP, Jana Sena Party (JSP) and the BJP have joined hands to take the State forward, Mr.

Naidu said the poll verdict that they would hand out in the coming election would decide the future of Andhra Pradesh.

Seeking the blessings of the voters for the NDA, he said that Mr. Modi is not merely an individual, but a force who is transformi­ng India into a global power. “Mr Modi is a leader whose services are praised by almost all countries. Schemes like Awas Yojana, Ujwal Yojana and Kisan Samman have given a totally new definition for welfare,” he said.

Showering praise on JSP chief K. Pawan Kalyan, Mr. Naidu thanked him for his support and remarked that Mr. Pawan yearned for people’s progress.

‘Viksit Bharat’

Observing that Mr. Modi wants to build a povertyfre­e nation, Mr. Naidu appealed to the people to join hands with him in this endeavour. He felt that this is the right time for ‘Viksit

Bharat’ and said the whole nation, including the State, should stand by Mr Modi to achieve this.

“Mr. Modi has taken the country to a very high position in the world. Soon, India will be the No. 3 country in the world in terms of developmen­t. We will be in a commanding position to dictate to even countries like China and the United States,” Mr. Naidu felt.

Maintainin­g that the State has been facing several problems after bifurcatio­n, Mr. Naidu said: “We were able to overcome certain issues but with Mr. Jagan in power in the past five years, the State has only moved backward.”

“Under the TDP regime, the foundation was laid for Amaravati and several educationa­l institutio­ns with global standards were also establishe­d. Almost 72% of work on the Polavaram project was also done. Had these been completed, the State would have progressed well and would have reached number one position in the country,” Mr. Naidu said.

Dig at Jagan

Accusing Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of “looting all the natural resources of the State and turning it into a ganja hub”, the former Chief Minister said that the condition of the State is now so poor that there are no roads in many areas. “Industrial­ists have been chased out and unemployme­nt is very high in the State and the people have lost mental peace,” he said.

“Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy has polluted politics by filing false cases against several leaders. His own sisters are asking the people not to vote for him,” Mr. Naidu alleged, appealing to the people to come forward and support the NDA “as it can alone save the State.”

Expressing confidence that the NDA would win 400plus seats in the country in the coming Lok Sabha elections, Mr. Naidu appealed to the people to ensure that the alliance wins all 25 seats in the State. “We will take the responsibi­lity of reconstruc­ting the State,” Mr. Naidu added.

Showering praises on Mr. Modi, Mr. Naidu said that the demonetisa­tion decision greatly benefited the country, and said the time is ripe to realise Mr. Modi’s vision of a povertyfre­e India and a ‘Viksit Andhra Pradesh’.

 ?? K.V.S. GIRI ?? Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TDP president N. Chandrabab­u Naidu sharing a lighter moment during the ‘Praja Galam’ public meeting near Chilakalur­ipeta in Palnadu district on Sunday.
K.V.S. GIRI Prime Minister Narendra Modi and TDP president N. Chandrabab­u Naidu sharing a lighter moment during the ‘Praja Galam’ public meeting near Chilakalur­ipeta in Palnadu district on Sunday.

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