TRS has no right to criticise TDP: Chandrababu

On his second visit to Telangana after the new state was formed, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said the TRS has no right to criticise his party TDP.

Addressing a public meeting in Karimnagar, Naidu, who is the president of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), said it was the TDP which developed Telangana and challenged those criticising it for a debate.

Stating that Telugu people were one despite division of the state, he called for solving all outstanding issues between the two states amicably through talks.

Naidu, who was chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 1995 and 2004, said it was because of his efforts that Telangana now has a surplus budget.

"Ask even an autorickshaw driver in Hyderabad, and you will know who developed Hyderabad," the TDP chief said.

Police had made tight security arrangements to foil any attempt by the workers of ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to disrupt Naidu's visit.

The TRS supporters had tried to disrupt Naidu's visit to Warangal last month by staging protests against his stand on electricity and water sharing between the two states.

Naidu's visit was aimed at boosting the moral of the party in the wake of several top leaders deserting it to join the TRS during the last few months.

"Some leaders betrayed the party for positions of power but you remained loyal to the party and your are its strength," he told the workers.

Naidu told the gathering that it was only the TDP which has the ability to rise from the defeat.

The TDP chief said the party would fight for the people of Telangana whether it is in power or in opposition.

"We always respected the sentiments of people and we will continue to fight to solve their problems," he added.