BJP, YSR Cong hit out at Naidu over proposed fast

The BJP and the YSR Congress today criticised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's decision to observe a day-long fast on April 20 to the Centre's stand towards the state's issues.

In separate press conferences here, BJP State president Kambhampati Haribabu and YSRC political affairs committee member Ambati Rambabu wondered why the Chief Minister was seeking to go on the protest when he himself took exception to the fast observed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12.

Naidu had yesterday announced that he would observe a day-long fast on April 20, his birthday, on the state's problems and the Centre's stand toward the state.

"The Prime Minister observed the fast while carrying out his duties.(He visited Chennai to inaugurate the defence exposition) Naidu criticised this, but now he himself is getting ready for a fast. He owes an explanation to the people on this," Haribabu, a BJP MP, said.

Modi and BJP MPs had observed the fast to protest against the disruption of Parliament proceedings by opposition parties during the recent budget session.

Haribabu also took strong exception to the Chief Ministers criticism of the Prime Minister at an event in Singapore.

"It is highly objectionable that a Chief Minister, while on foreign soil, chose to criticise his countrys Prime Minister. We strongly condemn this," Haribabu said, referring to Naidu's remarks during the Mint Asia HT Leadership Summit in Singapore on April 13.

The YSRC said Naidu's proposed fast was only to hoodwink the people.

"Naidu doesnt have any sincerity on the special category status issue. He has taken many U-turns so far, but still he is trying to con the people," Rambabu charged.

He (Naidu) had criticised the fast observed by the Prime Minister, but now doing the same, the YSRC leader said.