VIJAYAWADA: BJP MLC Somu Veerraju has lashed out at TD. It started with a channel discussion on television, soon after the Gujarat election results, between Mr Veerraju and TD MLC Rajendra Prasad. But now it has flared further and away from broadcast media. Mr Veerraju has stated that he did not want to respond to the remarks of Mr Rajendra Prasad. Having said that, he made a point by point deconstruction of the BJP-TD dependence.
Mr Veerraju has categorically stated that the BJP is not depending on the TD; if the situation so demands, they can contest the elections individually. He added that the BJP has a ready format for it along with a Backward Class Chief Minister. Mr Veerraju has further clarified that the BJP wants to develop and strengthen its base in Andhra Pradesh. But whenever they wanted to develop individually, some leader like Mr Ramakrishna, CPI secretary or somebody else would raise his voice against Special Status, Mr Veerraju alleged.
The BJP MLC has also accused the TD of non co-operation at the ground level. He has alleged that despite being a political ally, the BJP cadre did not enjoy a single benefit in the TD regime. But on the contrary they were accusing the BJP for special status not being accorded as yet, lack of funds, delay of the Polavaram Irrigation Project etc. Mr Veerraju also mentioned sarcastically about Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu's anger over the Centre’s approach on Polavaram new tenders.
Mr Veerraju has stated the victory in Gujarat was the victory over caste polarisation. In Gujarat, despite caste polarisation, the BJP had got a 9 per cent edge. But, in AP, even with the campaign of Mr Modi, Mr Naidu and Mr Pawan Kalyan, the TD got only 2 per cent edge over the opposition. Mr Veerraju also criticised the Nandyal byelection. He said, “By demonetisation we are winning elections and here by distributing the notes, the TD is winning.”
