Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan and IT Minister Nara Lokesh on Thursday heaped praise on the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They were speaking at the 'Super GST - Super Savings' public meeting in Kurnool, in which Mr. Modi and Chief Minister N. Chandrbabu Naidu participated.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan described Mr. Modi as a "karma yogi," who was not only leading the Central government but also guiding the next two to three generations with his visionary leadership.

He said the GST reforms were benefiting the poor in a big way. "People can now save money with a slash in GST rates on essential commodities and life and medical insurance policies," he added.

"The NDA government should continue for the next 15 years," Mr Pawan Kalyan said, and added that the alliance would remain stable and create confidence among the investors.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Minister for IT Nara Lokesh and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Kurnool on Thursday. | Photo Credit: ANI

Mr. Lokesh, in his address, said, "With Namo (Narendra Modi) in Delhi and CBN (Chandrababu Naidu) in Andhra, it is not a double-engine government, but a double-engine bullet train government."

Mr. Lokesh said the 'Super GST - Super Savings' initiative was like celebrating Dasara and Deepavali together for 140 crore Indians. "Mr. Modi has gifted this super festival to the people by reducing the tax burden on the poor and middle class sections," he added.

The reduction in GST would help the poor and middle class families save around ₹15,000 per year, he said. "When the decision to cut GST was taken, officials warned that the government would lose thousands of crores in revenue. But Mr. Modi went ahead saying that it was okay as long as the nation benefited," Mr. Lokesh said.

"The GST cuts have been made across all sectors -- daily needs, education, healthcare, and agriculture, directly benefiting the common people. India free of poverty is the PM's dream," he observed.

He further said that when A.P. Finance Minister P. Keshav informed Mr. Naidu that the State would lose nearly ₹8,000 crore, the Chief Minister said, "It's okay as long as the poor gain."

Union Minister Bhupatiraju Srinivasa Varma said the Prime Minister was visiting A.P. for the fourth time in 16 months, and had laid stone for projects worth lakhs of crores in Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and other places.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan and IT Minister Lokesh heap praise on Prime Minister Modi