Vijayawada: Empty chairs greeted Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his ambitious plan to administer a pledge termed 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' to the denizens to rebuild the state following the bifurcation three years ago.

The pitiable site, for a stature of the chief minister faced with empty chairs, was witnessed at the Benz Circle on Friday. Thousands of chairs were placed at the Benz Circle with expectations that scores of people would voluntarily attend. However, the chief minister's speech itself prolonged to over 90 minutes. Testing the patience of the people further was the scorching summer heat. By the time, Chandrababu began to administer the pledge most of the people had left leaving the TDP leaders red-faced. The later even ordered removal of the chairs to avoid being photographed in a lacklustre event.

The chief minister's speech itself was strongly criticised by the opposition and the people. Chandrababu Naidu had called June 2 as a "Black Day" in the history of the state describing that bifurcation did not benefit Andhra Pradesh. The CM further added that he agreed to special package instead of special status from the Central government as the later promised all the concessions.

The 'Nava Nirmana Deeksha' was also termed a flop in YSR Kadapa district. While locals were absent from the state-sponsored event, officials tried to force Dwakra women to attend to call the programme a success.