Finance Minister Etala Rajender has taken strong exception to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu referring to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh as “unfair” and a development that pained and angered him deeply as well.
During the inauguration of Andhra Pradesh Assembly building at Velagapudi on Thursday, Mr. Naidu recalled the context of bifurcation and the humiliation and hurt felt by the people of Andhra region.
However, Mr. Rajender, addressing a media conference here on Friday, said the remarks of Mr. Naidu were uncalled for and deplorable when both the Telugu States were marching ahead in their own way.
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“Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s remarks smacked of heartburn as the youngest State of Telangana had been attracting praise from across the world. People of Andhra Pradesh wished that they too had a Chief Minister like K. Chandrasekhar Rao,” he said.
Telangana was formed in a democratic way and the State Reorganisation Bill was passed unanimously by all political parties in Parliament.
Mr. Rao strove for 14 years, met leaders of all political parties, and brought all of them on board to realise the long standing demand of Telangana people for the Statehood, he said.
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Before bifurcation, the Telangana Chief Minister had said Telugus could remain united as brothers and sisters, and has been following what he said.
The people of different communities and regions were living in harmony in Telangana, the Finance Minister said.
Unable to compete
Unable to compete with Telangana in development, welfare schemes, and governance, nor win the faith and trust of the people of his State, Mr. Naidu was shedding crocodile tears over bifurcation, Mr. Rajender said.
The budgets presented by both the Telugu States crossed ₹2.6 lakh crore in 2016-2017 and it was an indication that both the States were on a progressive path. People of Andhra Pradesh should denounce remarks of their Chief Minister and should advise him to uplift the downtrodden, he said.