Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, is disappointed with Interim Budget 2019 announced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Central Government, on the 1st of February.
Chandrababu Naidu said, “The Narendra Modi led BJP government has betrayed Andhra Pradesh all these years.” He further said, “Nothing is assured to the State even in this last budget.”
Criticising the Central Government for not fulfilling the demands of Andhra Pradesh and ignoring the State, Naidu said, “Why should we pay taxes to the Central Government? What is the right of Centre on the state’s income? They are doing threatening politics. Is Andhra Pradesh not part of the nation? BJP doesn’t have much bigger leaders in the South. There was only one, Venkaiah Naidu. Now you have sidelined him. How can BJP woo the people in South India?”
Chandrababu Naidu claimed, the Modi Government is worse than the British Government which ruled India. He said, the Interim Budget offers nothing to Andhra Pradesh.
Speaking about the contribution of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP,) Naidu said, “TDP did not compromise on anything. I faced much humility but kept on calling Modi Sir. But he did not pay heed to our requirements. He only gave dust and water for Amaravati. Now BJP is campaigning that they only brought Kia motors to AP. It is utter nonsense.”
Mr. Naidu also blamed the Central Government for not providing the Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh. The State is demanding the SCS since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh into the State of Telangana and the State of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
In order to protest against the Central Government, Mr. Naidu organised a Join Action Committee (JAC) and started protests from the 1st of February and will continue them till the 13th of February. During his protests in Delhi, he will sit on a one day dharma (strike) on the 10th of February.
Later, on the 12th of February, Naidu is likely to meet Ram Nath Kovind, the President of India, and submit a memorandum regarding the SCS.
Stay tuned for further updates.
