Regional parties must stick together, can play critical role nationally, says Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that regional political parties have to take tough decisions to protect their interests and reminded the state Assembly that these parties can play a critical role in bringing together like-minded parties across the country.
While replying in the Assembly to the two BJP ministers, Kamineni Srinivas and P Manikyala Rao, who resigned Thursday morning, Naidu accused the BJP of behaving as callously as the Congress did when it bifurcated the state unscientifically. Invoking Telugu pride, Naidu said that actor N T Rama Rao (NTR) left his acting career to start Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 because Telugu people were insulted and Telugu pride was hurt by the then Congress government at the Centre led by Indira Gandhi. Naidu said that NTR rallied the regional parties and stitched an alliance to form a government at the Centre.
“Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s comments last night hurt us very much. He talked as if we are asking for all money to be given to Andhra only. We were hurt and felt insulted that is why we had to take the decision to ask our Central ministers to resign. I was hurt very much by Jaitley’s comments. I spoke for three hours in Assembly stating clearly what we expect from the Centre and what we got and humbly requested them to do the needful. I did not blame anyone or any party. Instead of responding positively, Jaitley talks in a take-it-or-leave-it tone. He said he also has to ensure defence of the country… talks of other states asking for special status etc,’’ Naidu said.
“BJP kept quiet when UPA switched off cameras in Parliament and passed the Bill dividing Andhra Pradesh. After that BJP promised special status and included it in its manifesto also in AP. Now when we are asking for what is rightfully ours, BJP is making excuses and blaming the AP government for not following procedures like submitting utilization certificates etc. BJP says there is no provision for granting special category status anymore but it has made special provisions for North East and hilly states. When we asked for the same, the BJP said no. Now they are saying they are willing to give 90:10 ratio funding, in the fifth year after bifurcation. All we are asking is justice to this state,’’ Naidu said.
Naidu praised the two BJP ministers, Kamineni Srinivas, Health and Medical Education, and P Manikyala Rao, Endowments, saying that both brought reforms in their departments and worked tirelessly.
While replying in the Assembly to the two BJP ministers, Kamineni Srinivas and P Manikyala Rao, who resigned Thursday morning, Naidu accused the BJP of behaving as callously as the Congress did when it bifurcated the state unscientifically. Invoking Telugu pride, Naidu said that actor N T Rama Rao (NTR) left his acting career to start Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in 1982 because Telugu people were insulted and Telugu pride was hurt by the then Congress government at the Centre led by Indira Gandhi. Naidu said that NTR rallied the regional parties and stitched an alliance to form a government at the Centre.
“Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s comments last night hurt us very much. He talked as if we are asking for all money to be given to Andhra only. We were hurt and felt insulted that is why we had to take the decision to ask our Central ministers to resign. I was hurt very much by Jaitley’s comments. I spoke for three hours in Assembly stating clearly what we expect from the Centre and what we got and humbly requested them to do the needful. I did not blame anyone or any party. Instead of responding positively, Jaitley talks in a take-it-or-leave-it tone. He said he also has to ensure defence of the country… talks of other states asking for special status etc,’’ Naidu said.
“BJP kept quiet when UPA switched off cameras in Parliament and passed the Bill dividing Andhra Pradesh. After that BJP promised special status and included it in its manifesto also in AP. Now when we are asking for what is rightfully ours, BJP is making excuses and blaming the AP government for not following procedures like submitting utilization certificates etc. BJP says there is no provision for granting special category status anymore but it has made special provisions for North East and hilly states. When we asked for the same, the BJP said no. Now they are saying they are willing to give 90:10 ratio funding, in the fifth year after bifurcation. All we are asking is justice to this state,’’ Naidu said.
Naidu praised the two BJP ministers, Kamineni Srinivas, Health and Medical Education, and P Manikyala Rao, Endowments, saying that both brought reforms in their departments and worked tirelessly.