Union minister for urban development M. Venkaiah Naidu today said united Andhra Pradesh was divided by the previous regime without any foresight. “It was unfortunate that those who bifurcated the united State without foresight have been criticizing us” he ridiculed.
Venkaiah was addressing a public meeting organized on the occasion of foundation laying ceremony for NIT at Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district on Thursday. “It is our responsibility to fulfill all the promises given to Andhra Pradesh. If all the problems could be solved in one year, then what the Congress party did in the country in the past 50 years. People know very well who will do justice to the residual State”, he added.
Indirectly attacking erstwhile family rule of Congress, Venkaiah Naidu said there should be people’s rule and there should be no place for family rule in any democratic country. He said he fought for justice to the State as a Telugu soldier and not for votes or seats. He also said AP would definitely get a railway zone. “Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was determined to develop the State and we got educational institutions and AP Express during one year”, he said, adding he would strive for development of both the Telugu States.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who laid foundation stone for NIT, thanked people of the district for reposing confidence in him. Though there were a lot of problems after bifurcation of the State, we have capacity to come over from all problems”, he said. He said Union minister Venkaiah Naidu fought like the epic “Abhimanyu” to get justice for the truncated State and the State would not face any injustice until Venkaiah stays in Delhi, the Chief Minister added.
Stones laid for four institutions: Smriti Irani
Union minister Smriti Irani, who was also present at the function, said Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was keen on transforming Andhra Pradesh into an education hub of the country. Stating that foundation stones were laid for four educational institutions, Smriti Irani said the Centre would be spending Rs 700 crore on Tirupati IIT. Rs 300 crore on Tadepalligudem NIT and Rs 680 crore on Visakhapatnam IIM . She also disclosed that efforts were being made to provide separate toilets for girls and boys in all the educational institutions.
Another Union minister Sujana Choudhary belonging to AP, said Tadepalligudem getting a NIT was historic. Normally 120 seats are provided in a NIT any where in the country, but Tadepalligudem NIT getting 480 seats was a great thing, he added. (NSS)