AP should teach BJP a lesson for betraying state: Chandrababu Naidu

Tirupati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called upon the people of Andhra Pradesh to teach the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) a lesson in the coming elections, for “betraying the state”, speaking at the Telugu Desam’s (TD) Dharma Poratam meeting at Taraka Rama Stadium here on Monday. 

The time and venue of the meeting were meant to be a reminder of the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a promise here, four years ago to the day. Videos of the PM promising development to the state were played during the meeting, promoting the TD's line that it has developed the state, but without the Centre's support.

Naidu said, “On the same day, in the same place that prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi made assurances before Lord Venkateswara, we are conducting Dharma Porata Deeksha demanding he fulfil those assurances. We joined NDA for Andhra Pradesh, not personal benefits. Why can't the BJP stick to its words? In Amaravati, he promised the same.” 

He added, “The Centre has cheated us by denying special status to AP in the name of the 14th Finance Commission. Modi said AP's capital would be built on par with Delhi, but he has given only Rs 1,500 crore for the capital, whereas he gave Rs 2,500 crore to Gujarat for a statue.”

Dharama Poratam song creates buzz

The song Dharama Poratam, released by the Telugu Desam (TD), and played at the Taraka Rama Stadium here during a meeting on Monday, became an instant and tremendous hit with the crowd. 

The lyrics are based on TD's position that the Centre has cheated the state, and explains the efforts of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to get justice. The song calls upon everyone to join the fight against the BJP, as well as criticises the Congress for the “unscientific bifurcation” of AP. 

The song has been written by popular lyricist Anantha Sriram, a familiar name for Telugu movie viewers. Speaking to DC, Sriram said, "The song was beautifully composed by Madhukar and sung by Srikanth. They have played a crucial role in making the song a hit". 

S.V. University student K. Madhu Kumar said, “The song is really attractive and our group started to hum the lyrics after hearing it for some time. The lyrics create anger in us, at the Centre.”