Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidutoday maintained that he was “not scared” of hisTelangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao.
“I am not scared of anyone. KCR was once my colleague. Should I be afraid of him, you tell me brothers,” Chandrababu asked a crowded gathering at the ‘Maha Sankalpam’ programme organised, marking the second anniversary of his government, here this evening.
Chandrababu was referring to Opposition Leader Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s oft-repeated refrain that Chandrababu was scared of KCR because of which the former was silent on various contentious issues between the two states.
“I have no vested interests. People’s welfare is my only interest and as such I fear none. Those who have corruption cases against them should be fearful,” Chandrababu said, pointing out that Jagan was facing trial in at least a dozen criminal cases (of corruption).
“The likes of (Satyam Computers owner) Ramalinga Raju and Vijay Mallya could not escape the law. Jagan too would meet the same fate,” Chandrababu said.
The Chief Minister launched a blistering attack on the Opposition Leader saying the latter was trying to block the development of the state at every step.
“Be it the development of the new capital or the interlinking of rivers. He is trying to cause impediments. He is vitiating the atmosphere in the state because of which investors are getting scared to put in their money,” Chandrababu alleged.
“He has even gone to the extent of asking people to greet and trash me with footwear and broomsticks. We have such an uncivilised person as opposition leader,” Chandrababu said.
He listed out the various programmes of his government in the last two years with the Rs 24,000 crore debt redemption scheme for farmers being “unprecedented”.
“Eradication of poverty and bringing happiness in each family in the state are my top priorities,” he said, adding that his government was ready to extend reservation benefit to the poor among the upper castes.
He lamented the lack of adequate support from the Centre in his efforts to rebuild the state which he termed a “two-year-old baby”.
“We got just Rs 1,000 crore from the Centre so far for
building our new Capital Amaravati. For the Polavaram multi-purpose irrigation project, lifeline of our state, we got a meagre Rs 800 crore so far while we spent Rs 1,600 crore from our own budget despite it being a National project,” the Chief Minister pointed out.
Without being clear on the special category state status, Chandrababu said the 11 states that enjoyed the status for the past few years did not develop much.
“What we essentially require is the Centre’s handholding support till we develop on par with other states,” he added.