Modi has lied, lost credibility: Congress on Andhra

Accusing Narendra Modi of lying about the Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday said the Prime Minister is left with no credibility.

Extending support to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is on a 12-hour-long fast here, Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanded fulfillment of the commitment of granting special status to that state.

"If the Prime Minister makes a commitment to somebody in this country should he fulfil that commitment or not? What sort of Prime Minister is he that he has not fulfilled that commitment? Are the people of Andhra not part of India?" said Gandhi at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan here.

"Modi lies wherever he goes. He went to Andhra Pradesh and lied about special status. I want to make it clear that whatever promises he makes, the Prime Minister has to fulfil," said Gandhi adding, "I stand with the people of Andhra."

Speaking on the occasion, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh also asked the Modi government to fulfil the promise of special status to the state.

"We demand that the promises made by the government of India at the time of reorganisation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, particularly special status to Andhra must be given.

"It is fair that these demands are implemented without any further loss of time," said Singh.

Prominent opposition leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien were also present at the Ashoka Road venue, where the Telugu Desam Party President is on a fast demanding the Centre to accord SCS and fulfil other commitments made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

--IANS

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