Modi has grudge against Muslims: Chandrababu

Telugu Desam Party President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said that the bill on Triple Talaq is a reflection of Modi’s grudge against the Muslim community.

He was addressing a huge gathering of Muslims at the Durbar Hall close to his official residence in Amaravati.

Naidu, who has severed relations with the BJP and is trying to repair the damage it has caused, reminded the minority community leaders his opposition to the Triple Talaq bill in its present form. “I objected to the clauses pertaining to punishment for men, which will have an adverse impact on the future of their children,” Naidu said. Naidu assured them that TDP is committed to reservations for Muslims in education and employment.

Giving reasons for severing his four-year-long relations with the BJP, Naidu said that he hoped that the Central government would help the new state to develop. “But I never compromised on secular principles even while in alliance with the BJP,” he stressed. He cautioned the Muslim community against voting for YSR Congress or Janasena as they are puppets in the hands of BJP.

More seats

Naidu, while assuring that soon a Muslim legislator will get a cabinet berth in his ministry, promised to give more seats to Muslims in the ensuing elections. He said this at the “Nara Hamara – Telugu Desam Hamara” convention in Guntur. He said that Haj Houses will be built in Kadapa and Vijayawada to help Muslims from the state to complete their religious obligations.

Vijayawada West constituency MLA Jaleel Khan said Chandrababu was the only chief minister in the country who opposed the entry of Narendra Modi into united Andhra Pradesh state after the Gujarat riots.