BJP adopting divide & rule policy: Chandrababu Naidu

Vijayawada: In a fresh allegation against the BJP, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday said that the BJP was adopting divide and rule policy by pitting Telangana against Andhra Pradesh.

In an oblique reference to Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) now becoming an adversary for TDP in the Assembly elections in Telangana, Chandrababu Naidu said that the two sibling states were living like brothers till now but the BJP was trying to drive a wedge between them, to weaken the Telugu Desam government in Andhra Pradesh.

Referring indirectly to the issue non-bailable arrest warrant against him, Naidu said that no one can do anything to him since he was known as a leader of probity in public life. "You cannot do anything," he said referring to the central government.

Chandrababu Naidu, terming the BJP as betrayer of the AP's interests, said apart from not honouring the commitments made to the state, it was creating problems as the state was struggling to move forward.

It had gone back on the Centre's promise of special category status, he said while addressing students at Gnana Bheri at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium. He said he would continue his ‘dharma poratam’ until justice is rendered to the state.

He said the prime minister would not be able to touch him, since, as a politician he had a persona far greater than Modi. "Modi is my junior in politics. He became prime minister owing to various factors and not because of what he is. I came into public life in 70s and I have more experience than the prime minister," he said.

Referring to the chasm that is widening between South and North under the NDA dispensation, Naidu alleged that step-motherly treatment is being meted out to South even as the South paid more taxes. "In return it got less devolutions from the Centre," he said.

Referring to his efforts to transform AP into a knowledge hub, he said he had brought the best institutions to Amaravati and was promoting industries by adopting the best ease of doing practices. He addressed several thousand students at the students’ convention.

He said that the Andhra Pradesh population is only 4.5 per cent in the country but the state is getting 18 per cent seats in NIT examination, 7 per cent seats in IIT and good number of seats in NEET qualifying examinations.

He said the students should acquire knowledge and have vision for their future. “You should dare to dream and strive to achieve your goals,” he suggested to the students. "Andhra Pradesh is in the first place in ease of doing business. It is increasing livable standards of the people by implementing welfare schemes and strengthening the economy," he said.

Referring to industrial development and economic growth, Chandrababu Naidu said the state is achieving double-digit growth in spite of not getting co-operation from the Union government. To help youth get employment, Andhra Pradesh is marching ahead in promoting industrial growth.