Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday launched a scathing attack on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, saying he has made a “U-turn” on promises of development to the State and was only replicating the former’s schemes.
Mr. Modi lashed out at Mr. Naidu for aligning with the Congress, saying the former CM NT Ramarao (NTR) had launched the party to make Andhra Pradesh “congress-mukth” after he was a victim of its ‘arrogance.’ Mr. Naidu was indeed a senior to him, but only in losing elections, switching alliances and ditching his father-in-law NT Rama Rao, Mr. Modi said at a public rally here.
“He keeps reminding me he is senior. There is no debate in this. I have never shown any disrespect to you since you are a senior. You are a senior in changing alliances. A senior biting the back of your own father-in-law. A senior in losing one election after the other, where as I am not,” the Prime Minister said.
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Mr. Modi alleged Mr. Naidu was taking him on since the Centre had sought details of every paise given to Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Naidu had promised walking in the footsteps of NTR, Mr. Modi said and asked if the Chief Minister had lived by it.
“The arrogance of Delhi (during the Congress rule) has always insulted States. And NTR that is why decided to make AP Congress-mukth and floated the TDP. The TDP leader who has to resist the arrogance of the Naamdaars (famous and powerful people) and crush their arrogance is siding with them,” he said in an apparent swipe at Mr. Naidu joining hands with the Congress.
The Chief Minister promised the redevelopment of Amaravati but is now engaged in his own development, the Prime Minister alleged. He said Mr. Naidu had not initiated any new programmes for the poor but was only putting his stamp on the NDA government’s development schemes.
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On providing clean fuel in the country, Mr. Modi said while in 60 years, only 12 crore gas connections were given, the NDA government had given 13 crore gas connections in just four years.
Left parties stage protests
Large posters of “No more Modi”and “Modi never again” have come up across the State. Calling Mr. Modi’s visit a “black day” for the people of the State, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday asked the TDP workers to hold Gandhian protests during Mr. Modi’s visit.
Commenting on the black balloon protests against him by TDP workers, Mr. Modi quipped he welcomed it recalling the tradition of smearing black to ward off evil designs.