Telugu Desam MP targets PM Narendra Modi, says TDP-BJP split inevitable

VIJAYAWADA: A Telugu Desam MP today attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the denial of special category status to Andhra Pradesh, accusing him of trying to "suppress" N Chandrababu Naidu, the party President and Chief Minister.

"Chandrababu has emerged as the main enemy to Modi. Hence, Modi is trying to suppress Chandrababu, I personally feel," Anantapuramu MP JC Diwakar Reddy remarked.

"In future, BJP may emerge as the single largest party but Modi cannot form the government (at the Centre) on his own.

"There are only two kingmakers now, Chandrababu Naidu and (Bihar CM) Nitish Kumar. The national parties have lost their moorings," Diwakar Reddy told reporters after a meeting of TDP parliamentary party here.

"What are rules and regulations? If the Prime Minister decides, anything can be done," the MP said, referring to the grant of special status to AP.

He said "divorce" between TDP and BJP was inevitable sooner than later.

"I told Chandrababu a year ago that we can't live with the BJP. We have to divorce," the TDP MP observed.

Separately, TDP MLC Budda Venkanna alleged the Prime Minister was adopting a "vengeful" attitude towards the State as Naidu had castigated Modi (then Chief Minister of Gujarat) after the 2002 Godhra riots.

"Only because Chandrababu had been critical of him in the past, Modi is now seeking vengeance and denying special status to AP," he added.

He also criticised the AP BJP leadership for remaining silent over the special status issue. "The TDP should immediately sever ties with BJP," Venkanna demanded.

TDP and BJP are allies in the state and also at the Centre.