Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu courted controversy on Monday after deleting a tweet on Veer Sarvakar, minutes after putting it up.
"Humble tributes to the revolutionary freedom fighter Veer Sarvakar ji, on his death anniversary," the tweet read.
The move triggered off widespread speculation on Twitter, with various people debating the reason behind the tweet being deleted.
"The saffron party venerates Savarkar as a "freedom fighter", but many opposition parties say he wasn't a supporter of India's independence," one user wrote.
"It is very unfortunate that you allowed party politics, minority votebanks to force your hand into deleting your tweet eulogizing Veer Savarkar, one of India's foremost revolutionary freedom fighters," one user wrote, addressing Naidu.
"The reason Naidu could have deleted the tweet is because the TDP's relations with ally BJP have been a bit rocky lately. Savarkar, who's said to have coined the term 'Hindutva', is held in high esteem by the BJP," one user pointed out.
Why did Sri Chandrababu Naidu garu delete this tweet on Veer Savarkar? pic.twitter.com/wl75sFOD3p
— Rohit (@RohitBJP) February 26, 2018
Chandra babu Naidu chief minister of Andhra Pradesh tweeted praising #VeerSavarkar and deleted later ..
— K.C Reddy (@Mlakcreddy) February 26, 2018
Why so hypocrisy ? Take a stand...
@YSRCParty ...@ysjagan @Mlakcreddy #savarkar#VeerSavarkar pic.twitter.com/fMF2Zdsa7P
The reason Naidu could have deleted the tweet is because the TDP's relations with ally BJP have been a bit rocky lately.
— A a k a n k s h a (@i_Aakankshha) February 26, 2018
Savarkar, who's said to have coined the term 'Hindutva', is held in high esteem by the BJP.
"freedom fighter" #VeerSavarkar
TDP is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre while the BJP is the junior ally in TDP-led government in the state.
The two parties are going through a rough patch ever since the alleged injustice meted out to the state in the Union Budget. The TDP is upset that it failed to secure a good deal despite being an ally, while the BJP has accused the TDP of mismanagement of resources that were sanctioned by the Centre.
In its declaration passed earlier this week, the BJP demanded a second capital, and the establishment of the upcoming Andhra Pradesh High Court in the region.
Meanwhile, the TDP MPs have already announced that they would continue their protest when the Budget Session restarts on March 5.
Naidu has vowed to continue to put pressure on the Centre till it fulfils all commitments made in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, and handholds the state till it comes on par with other southern states.
IANS inputs