Stop spreading lies, TDP

​Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party is gearing up for launching a massive agitation across the state soon after the budget session of Parliament. It is likely to involve youth in the agitation demanding justice for the state.

This became clear after the letter written by BJP national president Amit Shah to AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday alleging that some political parties are whipping up public sentiments rather than encouraging an informed debate which is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy. Shah asked Naidu to introspect whether political parties should be pitting sentiments and development against each other to further their political agenda.

In a sharp reaction, Naidu slammed Shah for using some strong words in the letter. He said the language used by Shah reflects the functioning of Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Disputing the BJP president’s claim that the Centre had extended all help to the state, he dared him to come out with facts. A national party should not spread canards like that. He said the tone and tenor of Shah’s letter was highly objectionable and an affront on the self-respect of the people of Andhra Pradesh.

He said "Amit Shah's letter is full of false information which shows their attitude. Even now the Centre is providing special benefits to North Eastern states. Had Andhra Pradesh been given the same hand holding, many industries would have come to the state," Naidu said.

Reeling out details, the CM said Amit Shah in his letter says the Centre gave many funds to the state and we couldn’t utilise them. They’re trying to say Andhra Pradesh govt is incapable. “Our govt has good GSDP, agriculture and many national awards. That’s our capability. It is unfortunate that Amit Shah was spreading lies,” he said.

Refuting the charge of Shah that the party’s decision to quit the NDA is unilateral and was based on political considerations, Naidu said: “TDP had won local body elections before bifurcation. After the bifurcation, people were in an insecure position. We allied with the BJP for welfare of the state. We quit the NDA in accordance with people’s aspirations,” he said.

Highlighting the state’s performance and development, he said, “TDP is synonymous with development. Andhra Pradesh is the highest contributor to the CGST. Despite our strong efforts and better development in GDP, Andhra is still lagging behind all the southern states in per capita income.” In his point by point rebuttal, Naidu said, Amit Shah claims that the BJP was sensitive to our problems but in reality, you too were equally responsible for passing the bifurcation Bill within 20 minutes behind closed doors.” The unscientific division of the state to which the BJP is also responsible had pushed the state 10 years backwards, he added.

Taking umbrage at the statement of Shah who asked Naidu as to why the state government had not acted in a speedy manner and formed a special purpose vehicle to get funds from NABARD for the externally aided projects and whether it was because, “It poses problems in diverting such funds for other purposes?

Naidu said this was a clear attack on the Telugu Atmagauravam (Self-respect of Telugus). No other state was asked to form an SPV then why only AP. The Chief Minister further said that it was unfortunate that a leader of a national party was indulging in mudslinging against a state government.

On one hand Shah talks of federal cooperation and on the other he levels baseless allegations against a state government. He said may be the BJP is in the habit of diverting funds, that’s not the TDP government’s culture, he thundered.

Mentioning about the educational institutions listed by Shah, Naidu said the Centre had done no special favour. All of them were listed in Schedule 13. Moreover, the state government had allocated huge chunks of land and the Centre had not paid even a rupee as the cost of land so far. The Centre sanctioned Rs 576 crore only against the total Rs 11,692 crore.

At this pace, it would take at least 30 years for these institutes to be fully ready. Naidu said it appears that the BJP and Amit Shah only want to rub salt on the wounds of the people of AP. He called upon the people to rise against the BJP and fight for the rights of the state. Later, the Assembly also passed a resolution reiterating its demand that the Centre implement the AP State Reorganisation Act-2014 in toto.