For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
Oneindia App Download

United colours of opposition on show at Chandrababu Naidu’s Delhi Dharna

By
|
Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, Feb 11: Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu's daylong fast demanding special status for his state on Monday became a rallying point for various opposition leaders who visited the protest venue to back him and attack the central government.

Congress president Rahul Gandhi, National Congress chairperson Farooq Abdullah, NCP's Majeed Memon, Trinamool Congress' Derek O' Brien, DMK's Tiruchi Siva and Samajwadi Party founder Mulayam Singh Yadav were among those who met the TDP chief to express their support.

United colours of opposition on show at Chandrababu Naidu’s Delhi Dharna

The TDP president is demanding that the Centre fulfil promises made during Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation in 2014 and alleges that Modi is not following 'raj dharma' by denying the state special status. "The PM has stolen from the people from Andhra Pradesh and given it to his industrialist friends," Gandhi alleged at the protest venue Andhra Bhavan in an apparent reference to the Rafale fighter jet deal with France.

'Mr. Modi has no credibility left,' says Rahul Gandhi at Naidu's dharna'Mr. Modi has no credibility left,' says Rahul Gandhi at Naidu's dharna

The government and Ambani have rejected Gandhi's allegations of corruption in the deal.

O'Brien recalled Modi's speech in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday and said he didn't talk about development or special category status but "started a personal attack". "Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones at others," he said. The PM said in his rally that Naidu was indeed a senior, but only in losing elections, switching alliances and ditching his father-in-law N T Rama Rao.

Lashing out at the prime minister, Abdullah said, "Modi has stooped so low, he's making personal attacks against Naidu, who is doing a great service to the country. The Jammu-Srinagar highway is closed for six days. They cannot clear the 30-km road, but they want to rule the country," he added.

Adding his voice to the chorus of criticism, Memon alleged that the Central government was meting out step motherly treatment to the state and the BJP was attacking Naidu because he has taken the lead in uniting rival parties against it. "We will show the BJP its place in the elections. I assure you on behalf of Sharad Pawar ji," Memon stated. Mulayam Yadav said he was not well but had come to show endorse Naidu's stand.

"Naidu is fighting the battle for the poor, the farmers and all those who are oppressed," he added.

Stating that Naidu was fighting for a just cause, DMK leader Siva said the Modi government would be ousted in three months. "The powers of the state are being encroached upon... rights of the minorities are being violated." The TDP had walked out the BJP-led NDA last year protesting the "injustice" done to Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation.

The Constitution is being systematically destroyed, added former Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Gegong Apang, who gave the BJP its first government in the Northeast 16 years ago.

Naidu begins hunger strike in Delhi, demands special status for AndhraNaidu begins hunger strike in Delhi, demands special status for Andhra

Congress leaders Anand Sharma, Ahmed Patel and Jairam Ramesh were also at the venue to express their support. Naidu's 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' (a day-long protest for justice), which began at 8 am, is likely to end at around 8 pm. He will also submit a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind on February 12.

Naidu paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and also to the Ambedkar Statue at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan before sitting on the hunger strike.

PTI

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X