It is customary that whenever the Prime Minister visits any state, he has to be given ceremonial welcome by the chief minister and governor of the state as per the official protocol norms.
So, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to visit Andhra Pradesh to address a public meeting at Guntur on January 6, it is expected that he would be received by Telugu Desam Party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Governor E S L Narasimhan.
It has generated a lot of curiosity because Naidu has been strongly opposing Modi and attacking him for meting out injustice to Andhra Pradesh.
However, the TDP president is learnt to have told his party colleagues that he was not going to receive the Prime Minister.
Apparently, he enquired with his officials and advisors as to whether he should accord welcome to Modi.
And they told him that since Modi is coming to Guntur rally in the capacity of BJP leader, rather than a Prime Minister, there is no need to follow any protocol.
The same was conveyed to Governor’s office in Raj Bhavan. However, it would be embarrassing for Naidu, if Narasimhan chooses to come to Vijayawada to receive Modi. Then, it would amount to breach of protocol by Naidu.
“It is purely a party meeting and there is nothing official about it. So, there is no need to accord any official reception for Modi. Moreover, the Prime Minister is coming here to attack Naidu and his government. How can the chief minister receive Modi whose visit is aimed at criticising the TDP government?” a TDP leader said.
In any case, the TDP president gave a call to the people of the state to oppose Modi’s visit and organise protest rallies against the Prime Minister.
"Why is he coming here? Is he coming to see whether we are all dead or alive? Or is he coming to make fun of our situation?" Naidu asked.