Naidu out to silence special critics

Vijayawada: Following a strong protest by the opposition parties, including the Congress, YSRCP and Left-wing parties as well as a muted dissent from within the TDP over the non-committal speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Amaravati on the issue of according special status to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took up damage control exercise.

After a meeting with party’s senior leaders and ministers, Naidu briefed the media that the protests had hidden agenda. He said he spoke to the Prime Minister about the special status issue en route to Tirupati when he accompanied him on the special flight. Naidu revealed that the Prime Minister told him that the route map for special status was almost ready and NITI Aayog would take a final decision in next 15 days. He told me to wait for another 10 to 15 days before an announcement could be made.

When asked about the demand of opposition parties to pull out of the NDA, Naidu said that would serve no purpose. He said for him development of the State was top priority and he would not compromise on that issue. “Wait till Monday and I will show you how the administration will be made to run in fulfilling all the promises we made. I will also ensure that the officials shift to Vijayawada in a very short time.

There is no second thought about it,” he added.