Telugus’ self-respect deeply hurt: Naidu

• Seemandhra concerns not addressed, agitation ignored
• Threatens stir, if Centre doesn’t address them in 24 hrs
• Fears Congress may let loose the CBI after him for political gains

Hyderabad: Coming down heavily on the Congress-led UPA government over the manner in which the decision to divide the State was taken, TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu said the self-respect of Telugus got hurt. He said his party would announce its plan of action, if the Union Government failed to come out with concrete steps to dispel the fears and address the concerns of the Seemandhra People within 24 hours.

“When lakhs of people in Seemandhra region have been on streets for the last 60 days, the Centre has gone ahead without addressing their basic concerns. It’s nothing but bulldozing their concerns. Congress, in collusion with TRS and YSRCP has hatched a conspiracy to create a wedge between people so as to get mileage politically” he lambasted.

“This is a sheer political decision to get some seats. The political nature was evident when Digvijay Singh stated on the day of CWC meeting that TRS will be merged sooner or later. So on one hand they have TRS, and on the other YSRCP. So, Congress has acted against people’s wish with a firm assurance from both these parties that they will be merged into congress later. In a way, Congress wants to get both positive (TRS) vote and negative (YSRCP) vote. This is crooked and nefarious. I warn Congress that it will be squarely responsible for the fallout” Naidu said. Stating that the decision would impair the political system on the whole, Naidu said: “Politics should unite and not divide the people. Because of this decision, people will lose faith in political parties which is vital in a democracy.”

“The division is not being done in a structured manner. Irrigation would be a major stumbling block. The Brajesh Kumar Tribunal’s recommendations are yet to come. How do they plan to share the waters and how the lower riparian state would get their due and what’s the mechanism they are going to follow to protect their interests” he asked.

Accusing Jagan of acting hand in glove with Congress, Naidu criticized him of being an agent of Congress government. “Jagan has not uttered a single word against Sonia, who is criminal number one in the whole game. In turn, he directed his arrows against me, who has been steadfastly opposing the hamhanded manner” he said.

Earlier speaking to the media at his residence, he questioned as to what prompted the CBI director to meet the Congress General Secretary Digvijay Singh. He stated that the Congress party had been out to better the political opponents into submission by using the investigation agency.