Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has found fault with the Opposition parties, including Jana Sena headed by power star Pawan Kalyan, for linking Jallikattu movement with special category status to Andhra Pradesh.
“What is the connection between Jallikattu and special category status? If there is any injustice to the state, I will be in the forefront to fight the Centre. There is absolutely no need to follow the Jallikattu type of agitation which is no way connected with the issues in Andhra Pradesh. The youth should understand this and not fall prey to the designs of the opposition parties,” Naidu said, interacting with the media in Vijayawada after his return from Davos.
The chief minister explained that he was maintaining friendly relations with the Centre only for the benefit of the state.
“We have accepted the special package in lieu of special category status, since we need funds for the development of the state. There is no point in indulging in confrontation with the Centre,” he said.
However, there are hardly any takers for Naidu’s argument. There is definitely link between Jallikattu movement and special category status demand. Both are emotional issues – first one for Tamils and the second for Andhra people. If Tamils can achieve their demand by agitation, why can’t Telugus do it to bring pressure on the Centre?
As Pawan Kalyan rightly said Naidu might have compromised with the Centre, but people have not. They will have to follow the Jallikattu model to achieve their demand. What is Naidu going to lose?