Modi should have received Abhinandan: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for doing politics instead of receiving IAF Pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, held captive by Pakistan for nearly 60 hours and released on Friday.

“You can set protocol aside to receive Saudi crown Prince but not a brave Indian soldier,” Naidu questioned Narendra Modi while addressing a public meeting in Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh.

Naidu questioned the wisdom of the PM in continuing with a series of political meetings on Friday while the whole nation was rejoicing the return of Abhinandan. “In Visakhapatnam public meeting, the PM blamed me for questioning the coincidence between his Rajasthan public meeting and the air attacks. Is it not politicising the Pulwama attack? When you had Intel about a possible terror attack, why was the convoy allowed to pass,” Naidu asked.

“If anyone like me asks him a question, we are dubbed anti-nationals supporting Pakistan,” Naidu said. “When the BJP was in the opposition, it questioned then PM Manmohan Singh when attacks took place on our bases by terrorists. Now you are in power and we will ask you questions,” Naidu said.

“Pawan Kalyan also said that he was told by BJP leaders two years ago that the BJP will go to war with our neighbour just before elections. Is this patriotism, going to war for votes? Votes are sought by doing service to people, not by warmongering,” Naidu said, adding none can question the patriotism of five crore people of Andhra Pradesh.

Mend ways, tells KCR

“Modi, Asaduddin Owaisi, Y S Jaganmohan Reddy and K Chandrasekhar Rao have joined together to stop Andhra from developing. KCR wants a puppet like Jagan to be the chief minister of the state. A vote for Jagan is a vote for Modi. In fact KCR is sending his police to trouble Andhra businessmen in Telangana,” Naidu alleged, warning KCR to mend his ways.

“Recently the Telangana police tried to enter a software firm that has created an App for the TDP in Hyderabad, based on a complaint by YSRCP MP Vijay Sai Reddy,” Naidu said. “Hyderabad is still a common capital and we have every right to stay there and do business,” Naidu said.