Telegu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government stating that targeting state and his party leaders is not appropriate. He alleged BJP would have to pay a ‘heavy price’ for conspiracy of tax raids against TDP leaders.
Addressing a two-day conference of district collectors in Amaravati, Naidu said, as quoted by the Indian Express, “… What does the NDA government have against me? Personal vengeance… as I did not surrender to them…they are going to pay heavy price for all these things. As individuals, as government they are going to pay a heavy price.”
He was of the opinion that the Centre is trying to defame his government. He added, “Their effort was to tarnish our image, whip up sentiments in public so that Hindus turn against this government. Is it right?”
Referring to the entire episode of Tirupati temple’s missing jewels’ as fabricated, the TDP chief said, “Two commissions had verified everything but now these people (BJP) are saying that the gold and the diamonds are missing. The BJP wanted to take over Tirumala administration, to protect the monument, but who are they? It belongs to the Andhra Pradesh, and it is being managed well.”
Naidu, even cautioned the officers to be alert of ‘goondas’, trying to break law and order in Andhra Pradesh. He said, “Don’t be afraid or become panic. Anti-social elements will rise if erratic rulers assume power and such rulers will do things detrimental to public interest. In the country now, CBI is finished, ED is finished. Income Tax Department is gone. If at all, only the Supreme Court should protect us. We have come to that stage.”
However, BJP quashed the allegations. Party spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao said, “The TDP government is facing a severe backlash from people and experiencing their wrath for running an unpopular and rottenly corrupt government. This seems to have taken a toll on the psychological condition of the Chief Minister. The ludicrous comments indicate that Mr Naidu is exhibiting signs of rabid paranoia and schizophrenia.”
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