Naidu for halt on attacks on Guv after Centre's displeasure

After a series of no-hold-barred attacks on the common Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana ESl Narasimha, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday issued directions to his Cabinet colleagues and the party leaders not to make any comments on the Governor.It came a day after AP’s Minister for Information P Raghunatha Reddy calling the Governor “Dhiritarashtra”, the blind king of epic Mahabharata.

Several other Ministers too had targeted the Governor ever since the cash-for-vote scam involving a TDP legislator broke out 20 days ago as they were unhappy with Narasimhan’s silence. They charged the Governor with inaction and showing step-motherly treatment towards Andhra Pradesh.Chandrababu Naidu himself had lodged a complaint against the Governor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded his removal.

listing out several grievances against Governor Palle Raghunatha Reddy said, “like Dhritrashtra, Governor is blind towards the problems of Andhra Pradesh”.

The sharp attacks have not gone unnoticed either by the Centre and Governor Narasimhan who expressed his pain and anguish over the insinuations of the TDP Ministers and leaders.

According to the sources Naidu’s direction to his party men not to target Naidu came after Centre sent a clear message of displeasure to him over the sort of language being used against the Governor and the way he was being attacked.

According to the well informed sources, Governor had complained to the Union Home Ministry against the mudslinging by the Andhra Pradesh Ministers and TDP leaders. It evoked an immediate response from the Centre and the Home Ministry sent a communication to Chandrababu Naidu against making any comments on the Governor.

In sharp contrast to the blistering attacks by the Andhra Pradesh Government and the TDP leaders, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has gone out of the way to keep the Governor fully informed about the cash for vote scam and the probe by Anti Corruption Bureau. KCR visited Raj Bhavan and met the Governor at least thrice during last 20 days to brief him about the startling information regarding the role of various TDP leaders in trying to bribe Telangana MlAs.

Governor, who had visited New Delhi to brief the Central leadership about the unfolding drama between Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, reportedly informed the Prime Minister that KCR wanted to book Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in cash for vote scam but he (Governor) did not grant him permission.

According to the sources, Governor was feeling anguished and hurt by the statements of the TDP leaders and pointed out to various visitors and officials that he was not partial or done anything wrong.The biggest grouse of TDP was that the Governor did not do anything to restrain Telangana Government in cash for vote scam. Sources said the Governor pointed out that the matter was in the court.