Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu has accused the BJP of arm-twisting its rivals and asserted that it is evident from actor Sivaji’s comments that ‘Operation Garuda’ has gained momentum with the TDP and its national president and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as the target.
In a press release on Saturday, Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the BJP was working against the TDP with the tacit support of the YSR Congress Party and the Jana Sena Party, and people such as Buggana Rajendranath Reddy acted as conduits for passage of information pertaining to the government.
He said the BJP was misusing the Central institutions to further its political agenda, knowing well that it could not pick up a direct confrontation with opponents such as the TDP.
Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the BJP lost hope of gaining strength in the South, which was the reason why it was implementing its agenda through parties subservient to it.
The BJP-led NDA government backed off from its commitment to hand-hold Andhra Pradesh till it overcame the crisis precipitated by bifurcation, Mr. Ramakrishnudu observed. The BJP would pay a heavy price for its follies, he added.
BJP hits back
Meanwhile, BJP spokeswoman Ch. Gayatri said Mr. Sivaji had resurfaced with a fresh story and that he was parroting the TDP script.
If Mr. Sivaji’s comments were true, the TDP leaders should reveal what was actually happening and not lend credence to such theories.