Naidu takes a dig at Modi over CBI row

• Says everything has collapsed under BJP rule
• Reiterates his demand that Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes be withdrawn to control black money

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said “everything has collapsed” in the country under the BJP-led regime at the Centre.

Talking to reporters here, Naidu also targeted the government over the feud between Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director Alok Verma and his deputy Rakesh Asthana, which turned murkier with the arrest of a deputy SP in the Special Investigation Team headed by Asthana over bribery charges. 

“We have a dedicated solar policy but the government, they messed up everything. It is a dire situation. They are messing (up) everything,” the TDP chief said. 

“Today, you see (the) CBI also, they are messing (up things). All institutions you see, everything has collapsed. Never visualised all these things,” Naidu added. 

The former ally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Naidu also demanded the abolition of Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 denomination currency notes to curb corruption. 

"Why are we having Rs 2,000 and Rs 500 (notes)? If all your money (can be accessed) through an app, why should you pay (using cash). Abolish (Rs) 500 and (Rs) 2,000 (currency notes). Then corruption will go,” he said. 

Listing the “follies” of the BJP-led government at the Centre, Naidu said, “Democracy is at stake. 

Secularism is in danger. Economy has collapsed and institutions (have been) destroyed. Even the Centre-state relations (have) deteriorated,” he said. 

“Everybody expected that (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi will deliver. But he (Modi) disappointed (all),” he said. 

People suffered during demonetisation, Naidu said as he questioned the benefits of the exercise.