Centre’s attitude causing unrest: Andhra CM

Visakhapatnam, Feb 26 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday said the non-fulfilment of commitments made to the state by the Centre was causing unrest among people.

He stated this during the ongoing CII Partnership Summit here.

Naidu, who focussed on signing a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) during the first two days of the Summit to attract investment to the state, opened up on the last day to vent out his feelings on the key issue amid straining of ties with the Centre.

Sharing the dais with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at a session, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president targeted his ally Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"What they committed, they are not giving, causing unrest among people," said Naidu, whose party is a partner in the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre.

The TDP had stalled proceedings during the budget session to protest the raw deal meted out to the state in the Union Budget 2018-19.

Naidu said injustice was done to Andhra Pradesh while dividing it to carve out Telangana state in 2014.

He recalled the problems he had to face in making a beginning from the scratch. He said he was working hard to develop the state as an innovation valley and using technology to solve people's problems.

The Chief Minister said people had more expectations from him.

Naidu had long been demanding with the Centre to fulfil all commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act 2014. He is seeking liberal financial assistance and handholding by the Centre.

Over the last few weeks, Naidu hinted that his patience was growing thin.

Naidu made the remarks when the moderator sought his views and that of Ravi Shankar on the importance of patience.

Ravi Shankar said while he was not for division of Andhra Pradesh, he now feels that had this not happened, Naidu would have been confined to Hyderabad.

He said it was heartening find the young state coming up well and competing with the world. He said the state endowed with abundant natural and human resources had vibrant atmosphere.