As BJP toughens stand, YSRCP attacks Modi-Shah for reading out Naidu’s script

Visakhapatnam: The blow hot and cold relationship between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has taken a new twist with each other toughening their stand since past few days after vitriolic outburst against the ruling party in Andhra Pradesh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Man Friday and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

YSRCP Government, which came to power by dislodging Telugu Desam Party regime led by N Chandrababu Naidu in 2019 after the latter walked out of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance over denial of Special Category Status to AP in 2018, had maintained cordial relationship with the NDA coalition at the Centre till BJP joined the TDP and Jana Sena Party to form a three-party alliance in the State in March. Till last few days, the criticism between BJP and its friend-turned foe YSRCP was very mild fuelling speculation that post-polls if Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy retains power, they would revive their old relationship.

However, after JSP founder and film actor Pawan Kalyan played a key role in stitching the NDA alliance in AP, Naidu and Pawan duo are confident that the Modi magic will see the NDA get a landslide in AP in the May 13 simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and the State Assembly. In 2019, YSRCP had a roller-coaster ride by bagging 151 Assembly and 22 Lok Sabha seats in its kitty, springing a surprise to many poll pundits.

Jagan Mohan Reddy and YSRCP general secretary and Government Advisor (policy affairs) Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy and several other leaders have accused TDP of changing its colours like chameleon.

YSRCP leaders alleged that Prime Minister Modi was reading the script prepared by Naidu. Earlier, Sajjala alleged that all the allegations on non-completion of Polavaram project. Both Modi and Shah made sweeping allegations against Jagan for being neck-deep in corruption, ignoring multi-purpose Centre-funded Polavaram project, claiming credit for Central-sponsored projects like housing for the poor, not fulfilling promises and stalling the development of Amaravati as the capital after proposing three-capitals and pushing the State into a debt trap due to fiscal indiscipline and giving upper hand to sand and liquor mafia.

Meanwhile, YSRCP candidate for Gajuwaka Assembly segment and Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has read Chandrababu Naidu’s script in his election campaign speech at Anakapalle and Rajamahendravaram on Monday. “I will withdraw from the election contest if Narendra Modi speaks against the privatisation of the Vizag Steel Plant,” he said. “Modi, who remained silent on the YSRCP Government’s actions for five years, is now taking Naidu’s lines,” Amarnath remarked.

Mocking Modi, he added, “Modi criticised Naidu for treating the Polavaram project like an ATM. Yet, like Naidu, Modi too has reversed his stance and is resorting to falsehoods for electoral gains.”

He said, “Centre’s decision to privatise the steel plant should be revoked in line with the people’s wishes. However, Modi didn’t even touch upon the steel plant issue in his public address,” the Minister noted. Addressing Modi’s assertion that the YSRCP failed to allocate land for the construction of the railway zone in Visakhapatnam, the Minister countered, “Officials have already handed over the necessary lands. It’s inappropriate for someone of the Prime Minister’s stature to spread falsehoods.”

Meanwhile, Pendurthi MLA Adeep Raj criticised Modi’s omission of the Vizag Steel Plant issue from his speech at Anakapalle, labelling it as “outrageous.” He lamented the lack of regard for the sentiments of the people of Uttar Andhra and noted Modi’s failure to promise to reverse the privatisation decision.