Would've won 15 more seats without BJP alliance: Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday accused the BJP of cheating his state on granting special status. The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief also claimed that had their party not allied with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), they would have won 15 more seats.

"Post bifurcation, we had tied up with the BJP. It was not for political gain, but solely with the intention of development. Had we not allied with the BJP, we would have won 15 more seats. They have cheated us on the special status front," Naidu said at the TDP's 37th formation day celebrations here on Thursday.

The TDP chief also accused the Centre of "spreading lies" and said benefits were being given to the North Eastern states despite the quashing of the special category status for states whereas Andhra Pradesh had not received any benefits.

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"They (BJP) said the special category status is quashed. But even now, its benefits are being given to North Eastern states. Then why are they not giving it to us? It is our right. The Centre is spreading lies," he said.

The remarks come amid the tussle between the BJP and the TDP regarding the special status for Andhra Pradesh with the latter pulling out of the ruling NDA alliance at the centre recently.

The TDP and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) also wrote to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General for moving a motion on 'No-Confidence in the Council of Ministers' in the House.

On Tuesday, the YSRCP announced that their MPs would resign from Lok Sabha and asked the TDP MPs to follow the suit over the issue of special status.

(With inputs from ANI)