AP CM flays TRS for not supporting SCS demand

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Monday slammed the Telangana Rashtra Samiti for what he said going back on promised support for Andhra Pradeshs demand for special category status.

He also blamed the TRS government in Telangana for not working together with AP in developing the divided states despite repeated appeals.

The Chief Minister spoke in the state Assembly late Monday evening on the non-implementation of the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

"I appealed to the TRS several times that we go forward together and develop (the two states). What has happened (bifurcation) has happened and there is no need for animosity among the Telugus. I told the TRS that we shall move forward together," Naidu said.

Initially, he pointed out, the TRS cooperated on the special category issue and its MPs even spoke in Parliament.

"But as soon as we differed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and came out of the NDA, the TRS too differed with us. Is it justified? How should we interpret it," he wondered.

When all parties in the country supported the SCS demand, why would they (TRS) not support, he asked.

On the recent arrest warrant issued against him by a court in Maharashtra in a 2010 case, Naidu said as the then Leader of Opposition he fought to protect the interests of north Telangana region, then part of an united AP, against the construction of the Babli project on the Godavari.

"They (Maharashtra police) arrested us on our border and kept us in custody for two days. Later they brought us back to Hyderabad by force saying there are no cases against us.

So far I never got any notices in the case," Naidu said.

Naidu said they were looking into legal options.

Referring to BJP president Amit Shahs reported remarks on the warrant issue, he said, "Am I playing a drama? Is it the way to talk? Why do I need sympathy? Is it not your government in Maharashtra and at the Centre.