Modi playing games with AP, alleges Narayana

- Says CM Naidu and Union Minister Venkaiah are made ‘bakras’ by PM

Vijayawada: CPI national secretary K Narayana ridiculed Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu as ‘bakras’ (scapegoats), in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, here on Sunday.

Inaugurating the Praja Ballot on Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh, Narayana said that the Left parties would fight for the SCS and special package to backward districts in the State.

He said the Central government should provide the SCS to the State as assured in the floor of Parliament, and implement all the provisions mentioned in the State Reorganisation Act. He recalled that Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu demanded Special Status for 10 years when the BJP was in opposition. He wondered if he lacked awareness at that time that the 14th Finance Commission and other States would raise objections. He said the CPI was ready to anoint Venkaiah Naidu with milk if Central government provided assistance to the tune of Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Andhra Pradesh and help to the State as per the Reorganisation Act.

He said people will teach a lesson to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and the Union Minister if they failed to keep their promises. Narayana alleged that Prime Minister Modi was playing games with Andhra Pradesh. “He doesn't want AP to develop. When Modi could convince all political parties on the GST bill, why didn’t he try to convince other States to on the SCS to AP,” he asked. The senior CPI leader also blamed the Centre for not taking appropriate measures to isolate Pakistan in the global platform.