Cash-for-vote-scam: Mind your words, Venkaiah Naidu cautions AP, Telangana ministers

Nellore, Andhra Pradesh: Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday cautioned leaders of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, engaged in war of words over cash-for-vote scandal, of making adverse remarks against the Governor.

The minister while addressing a function here advised the ministers to observe restraint and focus on development of their respective states.

"I am not particularly taking any names. The words we use, the criticism we make should have certain standard. We should retrospect ourselves. I have duly informed to the leadership concerned about some of the comments made by the state ministers (recently). Constitutional posts like Governor should not be downgraded," he said.

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The Urban Development Minister, however, appreciated the ministers for "immediately" withdrawing their remarks against E S L Narasimhan, Governor of both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

Earlier, as the controversy around cash-for-vote scam mounted, Andhra Pradesh Labour Minister Achen Naidu had termed Governor as a "puppet" in the hands of TRS government but later withdrew his remarks, saying he never meant to hurt the Governor's sentiments.

"What people (of Telangana and AP) need is not enmity. They want drinking water, development, education, health facilities, roads and other facilities," Naidu said.

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He said the political bitterness that is growing between the two states has become a cause of concern for the Telugu-speaking people and stressed that the animosity should end as early as possible.

"Both the chief ministers should keep aside the differences by leaving them to law, and concentrate on development," Naidu added.