Vijayawada: Unmindful of the criticism from Telugu Desam workers about the step-motherly treatment AP got in the Union Budget, and hints from the TD leadership of pulling out of the coalition, the BJP state unit has chalked out a ‘counter-narrative’ programme.
State party leaders will tour every nook and corner of Andhra Pradesh and spread the message that the Narendra Modi-led government has done a great deal for the state, such as providing funds for the Polavaram project and for construction of the new capital.
As part of that plan, Minister Pydikondala Manikayala Rao was in Srikakulam and MLC Somu Veerraju in Prakasam district on Saturday and Sunday. These two leaders were also in Anantapur and Kurnool, addressing party workers and urging them to drive the Delhi message to the masses. Many such meetings are lined up across the state.
The BJP central leadership has told state leaders to refute the TD’s narrative with statistics and mount an aggressive, no holds barred counter attack. “We were given clear instructions from our party central leadership to maintain the coalition dharma but at the same time take forward the message that the Centre has been helping Andhra Pradesh all these years, irrespective of any budget allocations. We will organise meetings across the state and our state leaders will be touring all over,” said BJYM state president, S. Vishnuvardhan Reddy.
He quoted, Rs 1500 crore given to Andhra Pradesh for construction of its new capital, though this was not allocated in past budgets. “Similar is the case with Polavaram and funds for other central government institutions.”
