Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister began a day-long hunger strike today in New Delhi asking for the special status promised by BJP during the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014. The protest comes just after PM Modi addressed a rally in Andhra Pradesh blaming CM Chandrababu Naidu for wasting public’s money on his election campaigns. Chandrababu Naidu said that just like Gujarat, “Raj Dharma” is not being followed in Andhra Pradesh, and Modi’s government has been denying their demand of providing special status and claimed that he will get it done by his own if Modi does not grant it. Atal Bihari Vajpayee referred to “Raj Dharma” during the 2002 riots in Gujarat to remind Modi of his duties as Chief Minister of the state.

Reacting to Chandrababu Naidu’s move, Modi said, “ As Naidu couldn’t develop the state nor give accounts for his expenditure, he is cooking up lies”. It is worth mentioning that  Chandrababu Naidu, leader of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), had quit the alliance with BJP led NDA government last year in protest of not providing special status to the state granting greater funds and described it as “injustice” done to the state during the bifurcation.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Rahul Gandhi and Farooq Abdullah also joined  Chandrababu Naidu in his protest. ” Wherever the PM goes, he lies. He goes to Andhra he lied, he goes to the northeast, he lies. He has absolutely no credibility left. PM Modi has stolen from the people of Andhra Pradesh,” Gandhi quoted.

Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long hunger strike, “Dharma Porata Deeksha” at The Andhra Pradesh Bhawan around 8:30 this morning after paying his respects to Mahatma Gandhi memorial at Rajghat. Naidu is expected to submit a memorandum on the same to President, Ram Nath Kovind tomorrow. Andhra Pradesh’s ministers, party’s lawmakers, and top leaders, MPs, MLAs and other workers from student and social organizations are expected to join Chandrababu Naidu’s protest later today.

Tags: Chandrababu Naidu, Loksabha Elections 2019, Narendra Modi, Telugu Desam Party (TDP)