Afraid of Chowkidar, Naidu joined hands with Cong: Modi

On his maiden visit to Andhra Pradesh (AP) after the ruling TDP walked out of the NDA, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu as a corrupt politician trying to shield ill-gotten wealth from the “Chowkidar” of the nation.

Modi was addressing “Praja Chaitanya Sabha” organised by the state unit of the BJP near Guntur on Sunday.

“The party which was founded by the late N T Rama Rao to protect the self-respect of the Telugus is now prostrating in front of the same 'Namdharis'. Now he joined hands with the club that abuses Modi day in and day out,” Modi said.

Forecasting a huge defeat for the TDP in the upcoming elections, Modi said Naidu wanted to create his own wealth but the 'Chowkidar' made him sleepless and the chief minister lives in constant worry now.

"Your CM is worried as he has to submit expenses from Amaravati to Polavaram to the 'chowkidar'. Naidu was not used to giving details of expenses during the earlier governments,” Modi said, adding that so far Rs 3 lakh crore worth projects have been given to the residual state.

Alleging that Naidu has put his stamp on Centre’s schemes, Modi wondered why Naidu calls himself senior. “Yes, you (Naidu) are senior in taking political U-turns, forming new alliances, you are senior in backstabbing your father-in-law…. You are senior in losing elections after one victory, and I am not like you who sits in the very lap that you criticise,” Modi said while lashing out at Naidu.

Naidu absent

At the Gannavaram Airport, Governor ESL Narasimhan, DGP R P Thakur and a bunch of BJP leaders received the prime minister. None of the state Cabinet members were present to receive Modi. The BJP state unit president Kanna Lakshminarayan was not allowed inside by the police and his name was not on the official list.

After reaching the venue, the prime minister laid the foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Coastal Installation Project and dedicated the ONGC Vasishta S-1 Development Project and underground Strategic Crude Oil Storage Facility to the nation.

'Go Back Modi'

The TDP, Left and the Special Category Status Sadhana Samithi cadres had organised protests all over the state.

While demanding Special Category Status for AP, the cadres raised “Go Back Modi” slogans and burnt tyres. In some places, they sat on the roads and blocked traffic.