Narendra Modi’s call to Chandrababu Naidu fails to pacify him as two ministers submit their resignation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday to talk regarding the resignation of two of TDP’s ministers from the cabinet. CM Naidu, amidst high drama in the state on Wednesday night, announced that Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Mr. YS Chowdary will submit their resignations in the wake of the centre’s decision to not grant special status to Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Chandrababu Naidu also informed that he tried reaching Mr. Narendra Modi to inform the same as a courtesy but he couldn’t get through to the PM.

PM Modi called Mr. Naidu around 4.30 pm on Thursday, after he returned to Delhi from Rajasthan. The phone call is said to have lasted for about 10 minutes. As per Deccan Chronicle, the AP CM informed Mr. Narendra Modi that he tried contacting him the previous night but to no avail. It has also been learned that Mr. Chandrababu Naidu stated that it was the party’s decision and they couldn’t go back when PM suggested they could sit and discuss the issue. Reportedly, Mr. Naidu also said that his ministers will continue with their resignation as this was a sentimental issue and the centre has to give special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Shortly after the phone call, both the ministers met PM Modi and handed over their resignations.

Addressing the media later, Mr. YS Chowdary clarified that they are still a part of NDA. “I don’t think it’s fair on our part to expect PM to deal with these issues. It’s for the concerned ministries to take up. A considerable amount of time has already lapsed. The sentiments of the Andhra has to be addressed by Chandrababu Naidu, and in these circumstances, unless we support our people, we hear them out and work for it, it does not make sense. So, our leader has made a made the right decision to come out of the government. As per the direction of our party president, we resigned today,” he was quoted as saying.

Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju said that the centre should have addressed the issue of special status a long time ago. He also said that the centre was viewing the people of Andhra as ‘residue material’.