Attack on Jagan Reddy a ‘drama’ by Centre: Naidu

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday termed the attack on YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy at Visakhapatnam airport as “drama” played on the direction of the central government.

Naidu also lashed out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre for not allocating funds for the development of the state. “While our government is developing the state with our own resources, they are creating obstacles everywhere and are hampering development. There has been a prolonged friction between the centre-state relations,” he said.

The Andhra Chief Minister also hit out at the central government for all the sudden raids that recently took place. Naidu alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is practising oppressive methods and is trying to threaten them with Income Tax raids.

“Never in the past have so many raids taken place. These developments are a result of conspiracy to create tension in the investors,” he said.

He also accused the Centre of conspiring against his state. “Many more conspiracies will be hatched against us and our state. You have to be mentally ready and prepared. The Centre is weakening Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate, Income Tax and all constitutional bodies. But ultimately truth will prevail,” Naidu said.

“The Centre is creating hurdles for international air services from Vijayawada. We have given 750 acres of lands worth Rs 1,000 crore. Even after five years, the Centre is not permitting services. How much time is needed to run a flight to Singapore? The Centre did not give viability gap funding. The state has to bear that burden. Customs department asked for nominal funding. We came forward to provide as the Centre did not come forward,” he added.

Naidu further alleged that the government is not doing justice to the state of Andhra Pradesh. “We asked the central government for special status of the state. We asked them to implement the reorganisation act. But since the Centre is not doing so, we are creating awareness among the public,” said Naidu.

He also emphasised on the importance of political fights, saying that the same is inevitable in the current times. “We are seeking justice and they are trying to finish us. Come what may, we have to reach our target. The interest of the state should be fulfilled at all cost and all of us must strive hard for its development,” he said.

[source_without_link]ANI[/source_without_link]