Responding to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's statement that the Centre will not accord Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, an upset chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday night announced that his party leaders inducted in the Union cabinet will resign on Thursday.
Here are excerpts from Naidu's press meet.
“Being a mature leader, I called up the Prime Minister, but it looks like the message didn’t reach him, so our ministers will resign tomorrow and come out.”
“The purpose for which we put our members in the cabinet has failed, we're calling back our leaders."
“People have trusted me and voted me thinking that I will develop the state. People should also understand that I visited them (Centre) 29 times over the issue, but they didn't pay heed. We made all efforts to convince them. I remained patient for four years. As they failed to honour that, we're thinking at least we will exit respectfully.”
“The way they're talking, saying 'this is how much we will give', is definitely an insult to the state.”
“I am the most senior politician in contemporary politics, I have no ego. We remained patient for four years and tried to convince, but they didn’t honour that."
Responding to Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s remarks he said, “His remarks that sentiments do not define the quantum of funds, and the financial aid given to north eastern states doesn’t apply to us, shows they were predetermined. It shows that they have no intent of helping us."
Irked with Jaitley’s comments that the country needs funds for Defence too, he said, “When we asked for help, we were met with grave injustice, there is deficit … you spoke as though we were asking all money at the cost of Defence of the country.
Although Naidu made it clear that they are not yet parting ways with the NDA alliance he said, “For now we have come out of NDA govt, we haven't decided yet to come out of the coaliation...we will decide in course of time.”
The CM had spoken to his party leaders for over three hours before finally asking them to resign from the party.
The Centre has been taking one sided decisions and our patience has run out now. When the purpose of joining the union cabinet hasn’t been fulfilled, it’s best to resign now.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
I am not angry with anyone. This decision has been taken only to benefit the people of Andhra Pradesh.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
I tried reaching out to the Prime Minister to inform him about our decision. But sadly, he was unavailable.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
It's a crucial time.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
We have to stand, we have to fight, we have to get it done.