Chandrababu: For Centre, people of AP are not part of nation

TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, reportedly disappointed with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement in Parliament on the 'inadequate' allocation of funds for the state, has told TDP MPs that the Centre’s behaviour makes it seem like people of AP are not a part of the nation.

Chandrababu, who is in Dubai called for an emergency teleconference meeting with the TDP MPs on Thursday where he discussed the recent developments and decide on the future course of action.

TDP floor leader in the Lok Sabha, Thota Narasimham was quoted saying to TOI,  "Naidu directed us to keep up the protest seriously in Parliament on Friday until the demands of the state are met and expressed unhappiness over the response from the Centre over the last 3-4 days.”

During the teleconference, the MPs read out Arun Jaitley's statement in Parliament to Chandrababu and urged the TDP should keep up the tough stance towards the Centre.

The TDP Chief said that they would hold the next round of teleconference with the MPs on Friday. 

According to the sources, the TDP is set to take a final decision on the future course of action following the outcome of discussions between state and central officials on revenue deficit and externally-aided projects.

With the gap between the TDP and BJP widening, some of the MPs including

AP HRD minister Ganta Srinivas Rao, on Thursday, said that the TDP will walk out of the alliance with NDA if needed adding to the speculation the party was in a mood to pull out of the ministry.

Meanwhile, BJP Vizag MP and state unit president K Haribabu maintained that the TDP won’t quit the alliance at this juncture.