EC restrictions limited to AP, no rules for PM: Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu who is celebrating his 70th birthday on Saturday wondered why the Election Commission singles out the state while implementing the code of conduct leaving the Prime Minister of the Country to do whatever he wants to.

He was addressing the media in the holy town of Tirupati where he launched a blood bank run by the NTR Trust. He pointed out that the EC was said to have served notices to all the officials who attended his review meetings in Amaravati after elections. Could the EC slap such notices to officials that attend PM’s meetings in Delhi, he wondered.

“Every day the IB reports to PM, why not the same at the state level. While the helicopters of Karnataka and Odisha Chief Ministers could be searched why sack the IASD officer who searched PM’s chopper,” Naidu questioned.

He said he had no problems with the EC but the selective way it implements the rule. “Every day the PM reviews the departments. Similarly is there any code of conduct in vogue in neighbouring Telangana,” Naidu wanted to know.

He said that IT raids were conducted only in AP, Karnataka and Tamilnadu that too only on parties other than BJP. “I wish that the EC works for the whole country and not just for Modi. Anyway, the people of the country have decided to send him home,” Naidu said.

Recalling his student days at the Venkateswara University in Tirupati where he started his political career, Naidu said that Narendra Modi had assured Special category status and full funding for Polavaram and Amaravati in the holy city. “The state lost a lot due to the unscientific division of the state. All I demanded was a level playing field with other southern states,” Naidu rued.

Meanwhile, PM Modi, YSRCP Chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy were among the few who conveyed wishes to Naidu on his birthday. Party cadre cut cakes all over the state and offered prayers in religious places wishing him a long life.