Why does Imran want Modi to continue as India's PM, asks Chidambaram
New Delhi: The Congress is happy the process of designating JeM chief Masood Azhar a global terrorist has concluded successfully, senior party leader P Chidambaram said on Thursday, while also asking why Pakistani premier Imran Khan wants Narendra Modi to continue as India's prime minister.
In a huge diplomatic victory for India, the UN Sanctions Committee on Wednesday designated Azhar a global terrorist after China lifted its hold on a proposal to ban him.
Reacting to the development, Chidambaram said Azhar was released in 1999 by a BJP government after the hijack of an Indian Airlines aircraft.
"After Masood Azhar masterminded the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the process to name him as a global terrorist was started by a Congress/UPA government in 2009.
"We are happy that the process has concluded successfully in 2019. But why does the Prime Minister of Pakistan want Mr Modi to continue as Prime Minister of India?" the former home minister said in a series of tweets.
Azhar's designation as a global terrorist by the UN came two days after the fourth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha polls. The elections end on May 19 and the votes will be counted on May 23.
Last month, during an interaction with a small group of foreign journalists in Islamabad, the Pakistan prime minister said he believes there may be a better chance of peace talks with India and settling the Kashmir issue if Modi's party BJP wins the general elections.
Khan said other parties would be afraid of a right-wing backlash in case of a settlement on the Kashmir issue.
The Congress seized on Khan's comments to allege that Pakistan has "officially allied" with Prime Minister Modi and said a vote for him would mean a vote for the neighbouring country.
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Amaravati as capital of Andhra has nationwide support, except YSRCP: CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Despite alleged conspiracies orchestrated by the opposition YSRCP, Amaravati's status as the capital of Andhra Pradesh has received unanimous support from the country, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu asserted that after receiving the central government's sovereign seal, no one can alter the status of the capital city in the future.
"They (YSRCP) wanted to destroy Amaravati, but we brought a law. Today, the entire country stands behind Amaravati. Overcoming all conspiracies, Amaravati has emerged victorious."
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making Amaravati the capital of the southern state, was passed by the Parliament.
He claimed that letters were written to the World Bank, opposing Amaravati and false narratives were spread against the project, including claims about its viability and safety.
Alleging that such actions were aimed at "damaging" the capital, he said that similar attempts were continuing.
"The dreams of five crore people have been fulfilled with the help of the Centre's sovereign seal. Nobody will be able to change anything in the future," he said.
Noting that there are 50 parties in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said, "Despite ideological and personal differences, and no direct connection to Andhra Pradesh's capital, they all supported the Amaravati Bill to safeguard the interests of the country."
Naidu attacked the opposition party, alleging that it has no sense of national interest and is not concerned about Andhra Pradesh's progress.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the passage of the Amaravati Bill in Parliament.
The CM said PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for Amaravati in line with the Singapore master plan.
He further said that PM, who had originally laid the foundation stone and later returned to relaunch construction activities, is expected to inaugurate the major projects in Amaravati in 2029.
"Soil from temples and places of worship across the country, along with water from various rivers, was brought for the project, while the prime minister gave soil from Parliament and water from the Yamuna," Naidu said.
The chief minister emphasised that this symbolic act reflected the support of Parliament and the entire nation for Amaravati.
He said the government's vision involves a cluster of nine cities with world-class infrastructure, designed by global architects to ensure long-term development.
To achieve this, the design integrates urban planning concepts such as clean and green infrastructure, underground utilities, and walk-to-work systems.
According to him, an agreement was signed with Singapore for developing the financial district, but it was later cancelled by the previous YSRCP regime, which also damaged the Amaravati brand.
Investments were attracted, with educational institutions establishing campuses, and land allocated to over 100 institutions.
Works progressing at a fast pace were halted, and the three-capital policy created divisions among regions, drawing criticism from the High Court.
Naidu claimed that attempts were made to counter the Amaravati farmers' movement and cases were filed, even as political tensions escalated during that period, and people brought his party back to power.
The chief minister said Andhra Pradesh, formed on a linguistic basis, was left without a capital, and the resolution sent to Parliament was approved, granting legal status.
Naidu said Amaravati would emerge as a hub for education, employment and knowledge, while parallel development was being pursued in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.
He added that industries were being promoted across regions and major companies were setting up operations, alongside efforts to complete irrigation projects.
Naidu said capital development works worth Rs 56,000 crore were currently underway and would progress in phases, with major milestones expected by 2028.
The CM stated that Amaravati was designed as a self-sustainable project with financial support from institutions such as the World Bank, Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and others.
Naidu said the state aims to achieve a USD 2.4 trillion economy by 2047, with Amaravati playing a key role in driving growth.
He added that the Centre and state were working together to secure funds for key projects, including Polavaram, Amaravati and other infrastructure initiatives.
The chief minister said the government was implementing short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to rebuild the state's economy and restore growth momentum.
