PM Modi lays foundation stone for Amaravati, says 'political selfishness of Congress led to Andhra's division'

Amaravati: Political selfishness led to the hasty division of Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday accusing Congress of "spreading poison", instigating youth and creating tension between AP and Telegana.

Laying the foundation stone for the new capital, the Prime Minister exhorted people of both the states not to fall prey to lies and disinformation that could fuel tension between Andhra and Telangana.

"For some people's political selfishness, Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in haste without properly carrying out the process of proper consultation. I can even today feel the pain of those innocents who lost their lives and suffered loss to property in this episode.

"The British left behind such things due to which there is tension in the country even today. The previous government did something that due to which everyday there is tension created," he said addressing a gathering here.

The Prime Minister assured the people that Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act will be implmented in 'letter and spirit' within the stipulated timeframe.

Modi accused the previous Congress-led UPA government of trying to sow the seeds of permanent problem between the two states and urged the people to move forward in the "true spirit and soul of Telugu".

"Those people who while bifurcating Andhra and Telangana have attempted to sow the seeds of a permanent problem, they are even today adding fertilizer to create poison, create illusion and are trying to play with the emotions of the youth," he warned.

Citing the example of creation of three new states - Uttarkhand, Jharkhand and Chattisgarh - during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's tenure where there was no conflict, Modi said he was attempting to do the same now so that there is no problem or bloodshed between the people of the two states.

"The previous government has done a lot of such things that a lot of time and energy of this government is going into undoing and setting them right. But I assure Centre's support to both the states and the Government of India will always stand by and support you," he said.

The Prime Minister said he along with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Andhra Pradesh and take it to greater heights by expediting the development process.

"I want to assure the people of Andhra that Government of India will implement the provisions of the Reorganisation Act in letter and spirit. I have come here to assure you that the Narendra Modi and Chandrababu Naidu duo will fulfil all the dreams and aspirations and the issues agreed upon within the stipulated time frame," he said.

Modi, who had brought water from the Yamuna River and soil from Parliament Complex, to be spread in the new capital, said, "This symbol has a message and strength that Delhi will always stand and move shoulder to shoulder in Andhra's journey to touch newer heights."

He said Centre has taken a series of steps in development of human resources in the state with emphasis on IIT, IIM, IIIT (Indian Institute of Information Technology), AIIMS, NIT, Indian Institute of Science, education and research, Central and Petroluem University. Modi said the talent and brilliance of both the states have the potential to turn them into centres of innovation.

"Be it Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, their soul is Telugu. they are its wings and development and fast progress of both will help enhance the country's image. This land has the biggest potential to benefit from Government of India's Start-Up Initiative. Lakhs of youth in Andhra have made their place in the world as professionals.

"Andhra Pradesh which has such talented and brilliant youth can set up an entire kingdom of innovation and Start-up in this land. I am confident that in coming days Andhra Pradesh will lead a new economic revolution in the country which will be known as youth centric economic revolution.

Recalling the rebuilding of towns and villages in quake-hit Gujarat, Modi said to undertake such a task requires political will, support of the people and clear vision. He said building of the new capital should be looked at as an opportunity rather than an impediment to make it a centre of economic activity and development.

Modi also lauded Naidu's gesture of personally inviting Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for the function.

Lamenting that in the last few decades urbanisation is considered a problem due to which the growth of the sector has been ignored, the Prime Minister said time has come that it should be considered as an opportunity instead.

"Unfortunately in the last few decades such a thought has evolved that urbanisation is considered a problem. Due to this we have ignored the growth of this sector. Today, it is the need of the hour that urban development should be considered as an opportunity and not a problem.

"That is the way the world has changed with use of technology and we will have to move towards developing modern cities. That is why the Government of India has formulated a scheme of developing 100 Smart cities," Modi said.