Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday reiterated that the Central government had adopted a “divide-and-rule policy” in the Telugu-speaking States, and that Andhra Pradesh would not give up its fight to achieve its legitimate demands arising from bifurcation.
“We will not rest till what is due to us is paid back along with interest,” he observed. The State would have achieved far better progress in the last four-and-a-half years had the Centre extended full cooperation, he asserted.
Addressing an impressive gathering of students at ‘Gnanabheri’, a workshop on ‘Global competitiveness for capacity building’, here, Mr. Naidu said the Central government should have sorted out contentious issues between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana but chose to pursue its own divisive agenda.
On its part, the TDP had quit the ruling alliance after the BJP’s rhetoric turned out to be empty, and went on to move a no-confidence motion in Parliament against the BJP-led NDA government with the support of the opposition parties.
Back home, the YSR Congress Party was acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, Mr. Naidu charged, and added that the saffron party had stooped down to the level of getting notices issued to him.
“We will not be intimidated in any manner. Justice is on our side. We will not compromise on our interests,” he asserted, alleging that the Centre had been biased against the South, and the 15th Finance Commission recommendations were bound to be detrimental to performing States such as A.P.
On ‘Gnanabheri’, Mr. Naidu said it had been his endeavour to transform the State into a knowledge economy and that he would not spare any effort to achieve the goal.
Advice to students
“While the State strives to improve the standards of education, bring reputed institutions and get top-notch companies to hire talent, the students should have the following ideals as the way forward: acquire knowledge, visualise, innovate and incubate, startup and serve the global community,” he said
Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad, Special Chief Secretary (higher education) Aditya Nath Das, AP State Council of Higher Education Chairman S. Vijaya Raju, Krishna University Vice-Chancellor S. Ramakrishna Rao, and Collector B. Lakshmikantham were among those present.