Amit Shah's letter full of false information: Chandrababu Naidu

NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu today dismissed the letter written by BJP president Amit Shah, where he had said that the decision of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to leave the NDA government was guided by "political considerations", saying that it is full of false information.

"Amit Shah's letter is full of false information which shows their attitude. Even now Centre is providing special benefits to North Eastern states. Had Andhra Pradesh been given the same hand holding, many industries would have come to the state," Naidu said.


Naidu also refuted Shah’s allegation that the state government was not able to utilize the funds given to it by the Centre.

"Amit Shah in his letter says Centre gave many funds to the state, we couldn't utilise them. They're trying to say Andhra Pradesh government is incapable. Our government has good GDP, agriculture and many national awards. That's our capability. Why are you spreading lies," he asked.

"TDP is synonymous with development. Andhra Pradesh is the highest contributor to CGST. Despite our strong efforts and better development in GDP, Andhra is still lagging behind all the southern states in per capita income," Naidu further charged.

Also read: TDP decision to quit NDA unfortunate, unilateral: Amit Shah

The letter was written after TDP decided to quit the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre earlier this month over the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier today, in the letter, Shah dubbed TDP's decision to leave NDA government "unfortunate and unilateral".

"This decision is both unfortunate as well as unilateral. It is a decision, I am afraid will be construed as being guided wholly and solely by political considerations instead of development concerns. It is widely known that the Union Government has not left any stone unturned in ensuring growth and prosperity of Andhra Pradesh," Shah said in the letter.

Denying the allegation, Naidu blamed BJP's "unscientific" decision to carve out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh has set back the state's development by over 10 years.

"Unscientific division of state pushed us 10 years back. Centre is responsible for that. You claim you're sensitive to our problems. But in reality you too were equally responsible for passing bifurcation bill within 20 minutes behind closed doors," the TDP leader said.

The BJP president also cited a number of development projects undertaken by the Centre for the state, besides funds given to it, as he sought to reject the charge that the Modi government had not fulfilled its promises.

"You may recall that during the previous Lok Sabha and in Rajya Sabha, when your party did not have adequate representation, it was the BJP that set the agenda and ensured that justice is done to the hardworking Telugu people in both states."

Listing five infrastructure projects the Central government has initiated in the state, Shah said that "a perusal of these would reaffirm what you already know and perhaps would not admit that Central government has fulfilled its obligations and that BJP is a genuine friend and true well wisher of the state."

The TDP pulled out of the BJP-led alliance over the refusal to accord special category status to Andhra Pradesh and fulfil other commitments made at the time of the state's division in 2014.

"TDP had won local body elections before bifurcation. After bifurcation, people were in an insecure position. We allied with BJP for welfare of state. Amit Shah in his letter wrote we quit NDA for political reasons. But we did so in accordance with people's aspirations," Naidu wrote in his letter to Shah.

The TDP has also given notice for a no-confidence motion against the Modi government in the Lok Sabha, which could not be taken up due to an unending uproar in the Lower House.

"On the issue of special status for Andhra Pradesh, it is regrettable that some political parties are whipping up public sentiments rather than encouraging an informed debate which is the cornerstone of a vibrant democracy.

"I would like you to introspect whether political parties should be pitting sentiments and development against each other to further their political agenda," Shah told Naidu.

(With inputs from agencies)