Naidu threatens legal fight against Centre

Amaravati:  In indication that his patience is running out, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said he did not rule out moving the Supreme Court in getting what the state has to get from the Centre by way of right under the AP State Reorganisation Act, 2014.

The CM, while dwelling on the difficulties being faced by the state in the wake of unscientific division of the state, at the second day of Collectors’ conference here, took exception to his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhara Rao making light of AP and NITI Aayog vice chairman Rajiv Kumar speaking in lighter vein of the difficulties of the state.

Naidu, for the second time in a month, referred to the option of moving the Supreme Court for fulfilment of promises made in the bifurcation Act. The first time he hinted at moving the apex court was in Delhi recently after meeting the Prime Minister, when a reporter asked him how he intended to solve the inter-state disputes if the Centre does not step in, giving an indication that the BJP-TDP alliance is coming under strain. 

Now, a day after KCR making “uncharitable remarks” and Rajiv Kumar making light of AP, Naidu said their remarks were unwarranted. “KCR said Andhra rulers had destroyed Hyderabad. Rajiv Kumar said the state did not need either hand holding or special category status as the state’s per capita income was more than the national average. 

“Though our per capita income is more, we are at a low base. That should not be lost sight of,” Naidu said and, as an afterthought, pointed out that if the state does not get the kind of support it deserves from the Centre, it may have to move the Supreme Court. He took with a pinch of salt Rajiv Kumar saying, though in a lighter vein, that since 40 per cent of Hyderabad revenue came from the people of Andhra origin, they should shift to AP to augment its resources.

As regards KCR’s comments, Naidu said he was hurt when he said Telangana was way ahead and that comparison should not be drawn with AP. “How did Hyderabad develop over the years? It is because everyone invested there. I worked hard in developing it,” he said trying to take the sting out of KCR’s comments that AP rulers had destroyed Hyderabad over a period of time. 

“Let him take a look at Hyderabad’s growth before 1995 and later and he would know our contribution. Since Hyderabad was our capital, people have invested there,” he said, adding: “I have developed Telangana for the benefit of all Telugu people. Our people had worked day and night.”

Naidu said that seeking handholding is state’s right since the division was thrust on the state. When we left Hyderabad, I asked the Centre to compensate for the loss that AP has suffered since all assets had gone to Telangana and liabilities were transferred to AP. “Getting support from the Centre is our right. We are not seeking any favour,” he said. Principal Secretary LV Subramanyam and APIIC chairman Krishnaiah also took exception to the comments of the Telangana Chief Minister.