‘Need people’s support at this juncture’

Alleging that the Centre is trying to target him by hatching conspiracies, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has renewed his appeal to people of the State to rally behind him.

Addressing a meeting organised in connection with Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Day at Dwarapudi in Mandapeta mandal on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu lashed out at the Modi government. “The Centre is trying to build pressure on me. It is trying to highlight my meeting with the Governor and give a different colour to it. One has to keep in mind that the TDP has right from the beginning fought against the Governor system,” he said.

He alleged that the BJP leaders were trying to threaten him by talking of cases, and recalled that similar attempts made in the past by Indira Gandhi and Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy failed as his track record was blemishless.

‘Fight against tyranny’

The Chief Minister said people committed a blunder by giving a huge majority to Mr. Modi, which emboldened him and his government to dictate terms to States such as Tamil Nadu, and vowed to fight against the Centre’s ‘tyranny.’ Special Category Status is A.P.’s right and the Centre owed an explanation to people over its denial, he added. He came down on the Modi government for reacting to the heinous crime of rape of minors only after the Kathua and Unnao incidents. Similarly, the Centre’s failure to take decisive action on cheating of banks by some individuals enabled the accused to flee the country.

Mr. Naidu said he joined hands with the BJP in 2014 only to serve the interests of the State after keeping distance from it for 10 years.

Obliquely referring to the YSR Congress Party leaders, he said it was unfortunate that people facing trial in corruption cases were getting free access to the Prime Minister. He alleged that the State BJP leaders were trying to fan regional feelings by releasing declarations such as the recent one on the backward Rayalaseema region.