There are no permanent friends or foes in politics. This old saying very well matches with the present political scenario in Andhra Pradesh.
With the TDP recently pulling out of the BJP-led NDA coalition over special category status to Andhra, the rift between the two parties seems to be widening. The Andhra police reportedly denied the BJP permission to hold a day-long protest fast at the Lenin Centre in Vijayawada on Thursday over the Budget Session of Parliament being a washout. The fast was being observed by party MPs including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Despite earlier getting the go-ahead from the police, BJP leaders including Rajya Sabha members were reportedly not allowed to protest at the Lenin Centre. Police officials cited law and order issues for refusing to grant them permission.
Speaking to TNM, BJP Andhra Pradesh General Secretary Shyam Kishore pointed fingers at the Chandrababu Naidu government for the permission being denied. He said, "Initially they (police) had accepted our request. But all of a sudden, they wanted us to hold protest at Dharna Chowk, it is clear that police were pressurised to do that."
Lashing out at the ruling TDP, Shyam Kishore asked, "Why was there no law and order problem when CPI has organized meeting there yesterday (on Wednesday)?”
In Bheemavaram in West Godavari district, BJP MP, Gokaraju Gangaraju and other members who were protesting got into a confrontation with Left cadres, who were also demonstrating at the same venue over special category status being denied to the state by the Centre. The police, however, brought things under control, preventing any untoward incident.
“In a democracy, we are even not allowed to protest in this state despite being a national ruling party,” lamented Shyam Kishore.
Meanwhile, BJP MP and party spokesperson GVL Narsimha Rao took to Twitter to hit out against the Chandrababu Naidu government.
"Telugu Desam Party that joined @INCIndia to disrupt Parliament is conspiring to even disturb our fast. Police at the last minute withheld permission for a peaceful protest fast at Lenin Centre, Vijayawada. Same venue was given to CPI y'day. We will now hold fast at Dharna Chowk. "
Telugu Desam Party that joined @INCIndia to disrupt Parliament is conspiring to even disturb our fast. Police at the last minute withheld permission for a peaceful protest fast at Lenin Centre, Vijayawada. Same venue was given to CPI y'day. We will now hold fast at Dharna Chowk. pic.twitter.com/eR3mr6l7cb
— GVL Narasimha Rao (@GVLNRAO) April 12, 2018
While the BJP and TDP locked horns, YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy issued an appeal to Prime Minister Modi via Twitter.
PM @narendramodi ji, as you observe a fast today, 5 AP MPs have been hospitalized after a 6 day hunger strike over denial of SCS. Please hear the voices of 5 cr people of AP & grant the promise of SCS made on the floor of the house.
— YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) April 12, 2018
"PM @narendramodi ji, as you observe a fast today, 5 AP MPs have been hospitalized after a 6-day hunger strike over denial of SCS. Please hear the voices of 5 cr people of AP & grant the promise of SCS made on the floor of the house."
Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, who has targeted political parties across the spectrum barring the Left, also took a dig at the PM.
Following his meeting with CPI and CPI (M) in Hyderabad at the Jana Sena office, the actor-turned-politician expressed disbelief at the PM’s fast.
“When he touched the steps of Parliament, people thought he will respect the Parliamentary procedure," said Pawan Kalyan. Lashing out at the way the Centre negotiated the just-concluded Parliament session in the wake of no confidence motions moved by different parties in support of the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, the Jana Sena leader said, “The way you dealt with the no confidence motion, it can be understood that you haven't shown any respect to the Parliament procedures."
He added, "His (PM) protest fast on the grounds of disturbance to the parliament session is unbelievable. The one who stalled the Parliament session is carrying out a protest as if they are the victims."
Pawan Kalyan also pointed out that if the BJP had in fact allowed for a discussion in Parliament, the TDP and YSRCP’s mistakes would have been exposed along with BJP mistakes pertaining to the Special Category Status.”
"Not allowing the matter to be discussed was needed for the three parties (BJP, TDP , YSRCP) and that is why they're staging such shows,” hit out Pawan Kalyan.