Why Did Chandrababu Mellow Down After Slamming Modi Government?

Barely a day after fuming and fretting at the Central Government on the issue of Polavaram project, AP chief miniser Chandrababu Naidu backed down and mellowed his tone. He also asked his party leaders and ministers not to criticise the Central Government.

On Thursday, Chandrababu accused the Central government of creating hurdles for Polavaram irrigation project in the state. Speaking in the AP assembly, he blamed the BJP-led Government for the delay in the release of special financial package announced last September.

Chandrababu had said: "Despite several problems, we maintained utmost restraint as we are part of the NDA. Still, the Centre is creating hurdles in the development of the state." In a fit of anger, he even said: "Let the Centre construct the project." He was upset at the letter that water resources ministry official Dr Amarjeet Singh sent on November 27. He asked the Government to withhold fresh tenders for spillway and channel work construction of the project. The letter's tone indicated that the Centre was suspecting that there could be irregularities if the tenders for works worth Rs 1200 crore were called within short notice.

Taking cue from the CM, MP JC Diwakar Reddy and other TDP leaders slammed the Centre on Thursday evening. However, on Friday, Chandrababu appeared quite mellowed. He also told him party men to observe restraint.