‘BJP ditched State despite TDP’s warm gestures’

TDP general secretary and IT Minister N. Lokesh lashed out at the BJP for “ditching the State” in spite of the “warm gestures” by the State government.

Speaking at the ‘deeksha’ staged by party national president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, he said the TDP had allied with the BJP only to get Special Category Status (SCS) and ensure implementation of all other promises.

“The BJP is so weak in Andhra Pradesh that it cannot win 25 sarpanch seats. Still we allied with it. What has it done for us in return?” he questioned.

Recalling the support extended to the BJP during the Rajya Sabha nominations of Nirmala Seetharaman and Suresh Prabhu, Mr. Lokesh wondered why the BJP was bent on damaging the TDP’s reputation in spite of the helping hand extended by it.

“The days of stalwarts such as A.B. Vajpayee and L.K. Advani are gone, and the present dispensation is resorting to conspiratorial politics,” he charged.

Dig at YSRCP

Referring to the main opposition party, Mr. Lokesh said the quid pro quo between the YSR Congress Party and the BJP had come to light after the “unusual bonhomie” recently.

“The way the first accused in 12 cases gets immediate appointment in the corridors of power exposes the link,” he said.

Mr. Lokesh dared YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy to speak against Prime Minister Narendra Modi if his intention was really to get SCS for the State.

Balayya sees bias

Hindupur MLA N. Balakrishna came down heavily on the Centre for looking down upon the State. He also saw a “north-south divide” emerging as the Central government was increasingly showing bias against the southern States.