Rahul Gandhi supports Naidu’s demand of special status to AP, says Modi facilitated loot in Rafale deal

Mounting his attacks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Rafale deal, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday said Modi had facilitated the loot in the Rafale deal.

He was speaking to the media at the Andhra Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi where Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief Chandrababu Naidu was sitting on a day long hunger strike against the Modi government, demanding special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Quoting The Hindu report, the Congress president said, “Every defence deal has an anti-corruption clause. Reports suggest that the PM removed the anti-corruption clause. It is clear that the PM facilitated loot.”

Rahul Gandhi extended his support for the grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh.

Criticising Narendra Modi for not fulfilling his promise, Rahul Gandhi said, “I stand with the people of Andhra Pradesh. What kind of a PM is he? He did not fulfill the commitment made to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Modi, tells a lie wherever he goes. He has got no credibility left.”

On Jan 11 , Speaking in Dubai, Rahul Gandhi had promised that his party will grant special status to Andhra Pradesh if voted to power.

“As soon as our government comes to power, we will give special status to Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

It is important to recall that Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated into Telangana and the residuary Andhra Pradesh State on June 2, 2014.

Trinamool Congress (TMC) chief and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has also extended her support to Chandrababu Naidu against the Centre.

A TMC leader was quoted by the media as saying: “Our party chief Mamata Banerjee has expressed her support towards Chandrababu Naidu’s hunger strike. She asked our party leader Derek O’Brien to visit Naidu at the venue of hunger strike and express solidarity. The opposition stands united in the fight against the Modi government.”

Congress leader Anand Sharma also extended his support and said that at the time of Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation, it was clearly announced that the residual state will be given special status to make up for the loss.

He attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi over "the language used by him against Naidu" at a rally in Guntur in the state on Sunday.

"It's unbecoming of the prime minister. He has dragged the political discourse to such a low level. Therefore, we decided to unite against him. Standing together need is the hour," he said.

Party leader Ahmed Patel alleged that the prime minister betrayed Andhra Pradesh and that its people should expect not anything from this government as it is a dispensation of cheaters and "tod-jod" (patchwork).

"We are solidly supporting Andhra. We are standing with Naidu," he said.