After months of speculation, Telugu Desam Party on Wednesday is taking action in moving away from the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP national president, N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday night announced that two Union ministers from TDP, Y.S. Chowdary, minister of state for science and technology and Ashok Gajapathi Raju, civil aviation minister will submit their resignations. The party wants to build pressure on the BJP, their ally since 2014 elections, after the Centre had refused to give a special category status to AP.
Hectic political activity was witnessed throughout Wednesday in Amaravathi and New Delhi.
Speaking to the media in Amaravathi, Naidu said that the Centre disappointed him and leaving the state with no hope of any help. He said that though he tried to contact Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he could not talk to him. Naidu added that he will take a decision soon on walking out of NDA.
The day started with a three-hour speech of Naidu in the Assembly. In his address, Naidu detailed the journey of the bifurcated state and the hardships his government faced. He squarely blamed the BJP for not fulfilling the promises made in their manifesto including allotting special category status and extending financial support to various projects. He said that a special status was people’s demand and that he had always strived to achieve it. At one point, he said that the tie-up with BJP was only for the benefit of the state.
He also added that he made 29 trips to New Delhi and sent MLAs, ministers and officials numerous times with appeals and requests.
After Naidu's speech ended, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley responded to the the strong statements of the chief minister. Speaking to the media, Jaitley stuck to the earlier stand of the BJP that they have offered the required financial assistance to AP.
Stung by the casual reaction of the BJP, the TDP leaders held meetings till late evening. Naidu spoke to his MPs and MLAs. He called a press meet which was scheduled to begin at 7.30 pm. After a couple of hours of delay, Naidu announced his decision.
Two BJP ministers in the state cabinet, Kamineni Srinivas and P. Manikyala Rao, will also resign.