Visakhapatnam: Hours ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam, anti-Modi posters and hoardings were seen dotting the city on Friday.
Black hoardings with the hashtag “We Demand” were seen with messages suggesting that PM Modi did not fulfill the bifurcation act assurances.
'Go Back Modi' posters were also seen at various parts of the city, much like Guntur, where anti-Modi posters had welcomed the Prime Minister during a rally earlier in February.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi "has no right to enter the state" and that he should come only after fulfilling all the promises made in the Bifurcation Act.
"Protests should be held with black shirts and black flags before Modi’s public meeting at Visakhapatnam. Modi has no right to step into our state. He should come to Andhra Pradesh only after fulfilling all promises made in the bifurcation Act," he had said.
At a teleconference with TDP leaders, Naidu termed the announcement of a new Visakhapatnam Railway Zone as "another case of cheating" by the Prime Minister for Andhra Pradesh.
“Cargo income is shared with Odisha and passenger income with Andhra Pradesh. Thus, Andhra Pradesh has lost an income of Rs 7000 crore. Even recruitments are more for Odisha than Andhra Pradesh," the Chief Minister said, according to a TDP release.
He said, "Even all railway stations in Andhra Pradesh are not allotted to our state. This is another betrayal of BJP to the state. All should condemn it. Protest rallies should be held against this decision.”
Naidu alleged that YSRCP, led by Jagan Mohan Reddy, celebrating the announcement of the railway zone proves the collusion of that party with BJP.
He also accused Reddy of wanting to play caste politics in Andhra Pradesh ahead of the general elections while rejecting the charge that TDP is a caste-based party.
“With a Bihari poll consultant, Jagan wants to play caste politics in the state. People should teach a lesson to such people. They should save their energy to fight against such conspiracies and protect the rights of five crore people of Andhra Pradesh,” he said.
Prashant Kishor, a poll strategist, is reportedly advising YSRCP.
(With inputs from ANI)
