Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Chief and Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said February 1, the day the central government will present the budget in Parliament, will be a “black day” for the state and called for protests.
“February 1 is a Black Day for the state. The BJP-led government at the Centre has discriminated against the state at every step. Unless the BJP is trounced at the Hustings, Justice will not be done to Andhra Pradesh (AP), Andhra Pradesh Naidu said. TDP Chief also asked his party workers to observe peaceful protests by sporting black badges and showing black flags when the Centre presents the budget for 2019-20.
In his teleconference with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders, Naidu said the Centre had cheated the state in the last five budgets.
Chandrababu Naidu, who had on Tuesday called an all-party meet to mount pressure on Centre on special status issue, also alleged that Centre discriminated against the state with regard to the central government releasing funds on Tuesday to various states through the National Disaster Relief Fund.
CM while comparing to Maharashtra situation said, “Maharashtra has been given ₹4,717 crore while AP got only ₹900 crore for drought relief. Andhra suffered extensive damage running into thousands of crores of rupees due to cyclone Titli. Cyclone Phethai also caused severe destruction, but the Centre did not grant even a rupee,” Naidu alleged.
Chandrababu Naidu, on Tuesday, called an all-party meeting to discuss the issue of Special Status to Andhra Pradesh. All the parties in the state should come together in order to increase the pressure on Delhi and to safeguard the rights of 5 crores people of Andhra. TDP is fighting relentlessly against the Centre,” Chandrababu Naidu said reportedly.
Chandrababu Naidu also said his party will continue to fight with the Central government until their demands are met.
TDP Members in recently concluded Winter Session of Parliament has made several protests outside and within the house demanding special status to the State. However, Centre has clearly ruled out the possibilities of granting Special Status to Andhra Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi who slated to Andhra Pradesh early this month, had to later, postpone his visit to the state amidst protests by TDP members.