HD Deve Gowda claims Chandrababu Naidu wanted to be NDA vice chairman but Modi declined
Nadda denies any such discussion
New Delhi, Feb 7 (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wanted to become the vice chairman of the NDA after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined it, former prime minister H D Deve Gowda has claimed in Rajya Sabha.
However, BJP chief J P Nadda was quick to clarify that no such discussion took place.
Participating in the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address on Thursday, Gowda said, "Chandrababu Naidu, who supports this government with his 16 members, wanted to become the vice chairman or chairman of the alliance, but Modiji did not agree. He knows how to run the administration."
After Gowda concluded his address, Nadda asserted that no such discussion took place.
"As the president of the party, I want to clarify that no such discussion happened in the NDA," Nadda said, adding that everyone accepted the leadership of Modi.
Both the TDP, led by Naidu, and Gowda's JDS are part of the ruling NDA.
According to Gowda, "In the UPA government, there was not only prime minister but also vice-chairman, or what we call the power centre in the political system. The power centre was with the chairman. But, Modiji has not allowed anyone to handle or meddle with the government."
While speaking on the President's address, he said the government has stated that the highest priority is given to the poor, the middle class, the youth, and women.
"To achieve this highest priority, to implement this, and to achieve the prospects of this neglected section, it is necessary to have a stable government that can run for five years," Gowda said.
He added, "Now, with the support of the regional parties like us, with 305 members, this government will run for five years. There is no question of any hesitation. I am not afraid of telling, there is nothing to curry any favour from the prime minister."
Gowda lauded Modi and said that having experience as prime minister and chief minister, he is the only tallest leader in this country who can run it without oscillation.
"I know how Modiji in his 22 years as chief minister, and as prime minister, is running the country, I know. Today, the world has recognised; it is not the question of Deve gowda or X Y Z. The world has recognized Modiji as the tallest leader," he said.
Talking about the water problem in Bengaluru, Gowda said he had "begged" Manmohan Singh to solve it but he said he couldn't.
"It is only Modi ji who can solve the problem. The people of Karnataka - Bengaluru and other districts - are suffering for want of drinking water. I want, in my lifetime, that it should be solved," he said.
HD Deve Gowda: Chandrababu Naidu wanted to become Vice Chairman or Chairman of the NDA Alliance, but Modi disagreed.
— BSN Malleswara Rao (@BSNMalleswarRao) February 6, 2025
దేవెగౌడ: ఎన్డీఏ కూటమికి ఉపాధ్యక్షుడు లేదా అధ్యక్షుడు కావాలని చంద్రబాబు కోరుకున్నారు. కానీ మోడీ అంగీకరించలేదు.@H_D_Devegowda @ncbn @narendramodi @JaiTDP… pic.twitter.com/KRPYwAkWii
BIG NEWS - Former PM H D Deve Gowda claims in Rajya Sabha that CM Chandrababu Naidu was interested to be vice-chairman of NDA but he was refused.
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) February 6, 2025
JP Nadda says that no such discussion took place in NDA. pic.twitter.com/jRypLcJSLH
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Bihar: Over 150 children fall ill after consuming 'mid-day meal' in Saharsa
Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.
The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.
The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.
“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.
“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.
Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.
Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.
Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.
“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.
