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Journalism of Courage
BAHADURGARH HARYANA, FEB 17: Andhara Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday asserted that barring people of foreign origin from occupying top constitutional positions should be taken up by the newly set up constitution review panel.
quot;It is the biggest issue8230; Otherwise why we fought for freedom? So many people gave away their lives,quot; Naidu told reporters here before addressing a series of election meetings with Haryana Chief Minister and INLD leader O P Chautala.
Pointing out that the issue of foreign origin was part of the NDA manifesto, he said, quot;We firmly believe that we are not inferior to anyone.
quot;My leader N T Rama Rao and veteran leaders like Devi Lal always stressed on self-respect. Today we have trained people from India who are doing well in the West,quot; he said.
Referring to large scale opposition to the Vajpayee Government move in setting up the panel, he said it would be erroneous to oppose such a move quot;just for the sake of itquot;.
quot;I don8217;t understand why and what the Congress people are fearing. After all, everything will come to parliament and only two-third majority can take any decision,quot; Naidu said.
On Congress criticism over appointment of former Lok Sabh Speaker P A Sangma in the panel, he said, quot;There was nothing wrong in itquot;.
Strongly supporting the Government move for the statute review, he said it was necessary given the fast paced changes everywhere. quot;Fifty years back none could imagine the importance of information technologyquot;.
Strongly advocating introduction of an effective quot;cooperative federalismquot;, Naidu said time has come even for Centre to appreciate the need to provide adequate financial powers to states.
Referring to the debate on the misuse of Article 356, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister favoured its quot;abolitionquot; but in the same breath said provisions of imposition of Central rule should be left only for quot;extraordinary situationsquot; and for a fixed time frame.
He also said as of now there was only talk about fundamental rights and therefore necessary changes needed to be brought in statute to inculcate the spirit of patriotism among people with greater emphasis on fundamental duties.
Ruling out TDP joining the Vajpayee Government, he said even otherwise quot;NDA is very strongquot; and asserted that he has never done anything to weaken it.
Claiming that Congress was declining with every passing day, he said NDA constituents and BJP will do well in assembly elections in all the four states.
Later campaigning for INLD candidate Nafey Singh Rathi at Kanonda village Bahadurgarh constituency, Naidu accused Congress for its quot;misrulequot; both in Centre and in states.
Glancing at his notes, Naidu spoke in Hindi quot;Aapko faisla karna hoga, aap dharm ke paksh mey hain ya adharm You have to decide, whether you are with righteousness or otherwisequot;.
