Why did PM Modi not invite CMs of states for 'Statue of Unity' inauguration, asks KTR

HYDERABAD: IT minister K T Rama Rao on Tuesday unleashed a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking why did he not invite members of the opposition party or the chief ministers of various states for the inauguration of the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat.

The world’s tallest statue, which is a depiction of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was inaugurated by the Prime Minister recently. “What unity is Modi talking about? Did he even invite the opposition parties or the chief ministers of various states for the inauguration?” K T Rama Rao questioned. He claimed that the prime minister was undertaking development programmes where the BJP was in power.

“Why shouldn’t a bullet train be planned in the South? It is this discrimination against states about which we are raising our voice. The centre does not exist without states and Modi should keep this in mind,” he said.

“The high court bifurcation is finally happening. It is happening because we pursued it. The delay was on the part of the Centre and if they have allowed it to happen now, they cannot take credit saying that they have done some great work,” KTR said.

The minister said in the upcoming assembly elections, the BJP would lose its deposits in 100 seats. “We will field strong candidates against the BJP in the Musheerabad and Amberpet constituencies,” he said.

Speaking to the media, the minister affirmed that the plans of chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao for the Federal Front would be taken forward. “Don’t look at the plan as just an attempt to get a non-Congress and non-BJP government at the Centre in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. It is much more than that. It is certain that a non-BJP and non-Congress will form the next government at the Centre,” he said.

When pointed out that Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had taken the lead, he said Naidu was only a ‘frustrated man’. “Like Virat Kohli would say, we will play one ball at a time. That would take care of the over. As of now we are concentrating on the assembly polls and then the EC has said the panchayat polls should be held. There is still time for the LS elections,” he said.