Chandrababu Naidu ridicules Modi's fast, terms it gimmick

‘We have contained the high-handedness of the Prime Minister’

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday wondered if there was any instance of a Prime Minister observing ‘deeksha’ in the history.

Ridiculing the one-day fast being observed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi against the Opposition parties, Mr. Naidu asked: “Is not this your inability? Whom do you want to trick? We have asked you to solve our problems and fulfil the promises made by you. You have incited everyone and troubled us when we were fighting. But you observe deeksha now, how should we see this?”

To queries during an impromptu media conference after inaugurating the Tech Tower of the AP Police here, Mr. Naidu went on taking a jibe at the Prime Minister and the Central government.

“For four years I made all efforts and waited for help. In the fifth year, I came out in the open and protested, brought together all the parties and raised the issue in the two Houses. But the Prime Minister failed to do anything. Now he is protesting against us,” Mr. Naidu said.

“The Special Category Status is our right. You may think this is an issue of just one State and 25 [MP] seats, but the effect of this will be felt in the entire country and you should remember it,” Mr. Naidu added.

“At any cost, there will be no compromise on the fight against Mr. Modi. After the TDP took a decision entire country began revolting. We have contained the high-handedness of Mr. Modi.”

Asked if there would be protests on the lines of the ones by various parties and the people of Tamil Naidu for Cauvery water, Mr. Naidu said, “We too can take to such protests. They [the PM and the BJP] went to Tamil Nadu because there is a puppet government there. They wouldn’t dare come to AP. What is the difference between this [BJP] government and the British? It is the responsibility of the Centre to solve the problems of the States. There will be no compromise in the fight against Centre until SCS is sanctioned,” he said.

About intensified protests for the SCS, Mr. Naidu said he was much concerned about the danger of AP drifting from the development track. “It is difficult to put it back on track. In a matter of minutes, I can call upon the public to hit the roads and give a call on behalf of the government making the Central government vehicles not to move in the State, but I will not do it as it will affect the State,” he said.

On the non-cooperation from the Opposition YSR Congress Party, Mr. Naidu said, “Put an end to inducement politics and stop hindering the development of the State. I gave permission to the dharna at the AP Bhavan. Support for all those fighting for the State would be given.”

Referring to the downfall of V.K. Sasikala in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Naidu said, “If court noose is tightened, you [YSRCP] will go into hiding in no time. But I have no fears.” He asserted that the SCS was a political issue and political solution would be the only answer.

Mr. Naidu said legal options would be explored and recalled that the process of bifurcation went on despite moving court.