BJP and former Union Minister U. V. Krishnam Raju has said the State government owes its development to the support extended by the Narendra Modi government during the last four years.
The Chandrababu Naidu government could achieve a GDP of 11.25% by utilising the Central aid under the special package, he said at a press conference here on Friday. How can Mr. Naidu justify his ‘deeksha’ when he had questioned Mr. Modi for observing a day’s fast, Mr. Raju asked. In a statement released later, he said the Chief Minister’s protest should rather be called ‘fast for introspection.’ The State’s share in the Central grants and taxes was ₹2.44 lakh crore between 2015 and 2020, which was 107 % more than the previous five years, he said.
The debt of the State also went up from ₹1.1 lakh crore to ₹2.5 lakh crore since Mr. Naidu assumed charge, Mr. Raju pointed out.
AP occupied seventh position in per capita income in the country with Tamil Nadu and Karnataka occupying the second and fifth positions, he said, and added the argument that South was discriminated against did not hold water.
Mr. Raju asserted that the demand for railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters would be met.
China example
Quoting the example of China, Mr. Raju favoured making Mr. Modi permanent Prime Minister for ensuring stability and long-term development. “It however is not possible in India,” he added. He defended his stance stating that development had suffered when A.B. Vajpayee was denied a second term.
Pointing that the poll-bound Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh were facing cash crunch, Mr. Raju said the respective State governments should take the blame for it.
Casting couch row
On the casting couch controversy and exploitation of women artistes in the Telugu film industry, he said it was there in other professions and other industries too.
“One woman making allegations because of her anger, suffering and frustration at not getting opportunities is a mistake,” he said. The Movie Artistes’ Association was taking remedial steps, he added.
