Former NDA Ally N Chandrababu Naidu Hails PM Modi For ‘Bold And Statesman-Like Decision’ To Extend Lockdown

Former Andra Pradesh (AP) chief minister (CM) N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday (14 April) lined up praises for Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi for resolving to take "bold and statesman-like decision" to extend the nationwide lockdown, reports Times of India.

A former ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the PM Modi led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Naidu also held a conversation with PM Modi on Tuesday morning in which the two leaders discussed the nation's path forward in the fight against COVID-19.

"I told the PM that under his efficient leadership, right decision was made on lockdown-1. That helped India stand at the forefront of the battle against the virus. Many other countries are facing problems. You are building national consensus in the right spirit. Now, testing should be increased and people should be prepared for the future struggle." Naidu was quoted as saying.

Naidu underscored that had PM Modi not have imposed the lockdown, the total confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India would have gone up to eight lakh as per a forecast, while the same has been contained to over 10,000 as of now.

It should be noted that the lockdown has now been extended till 3 May, though relaxations will be allowed starting 20 April at places that would not have COVID-19 hotspots.