According to screenshots shared on Twitter, the TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, tweeted the following around 7 am this morning: "Humble tributes to the legendary freedom fighter, Veer Savarkar ji, on his death anniversary."

Soon after, the tweet was unavailable. The reason Naidu could have deleted the tweet is because the TDP's relations with ally BJP - as part of the NDA coalition have been a bit rocky lately or after been informed that Savarkar is not a freedom fighter and he was jailed fore treason for Gandhi murder along with Ramnath Godse.

Savarkar, who's said to have coined the term 'Hindutva', is held in high esteem by the BJP.

History facts says Savarkar didn't support Gandhi's 'Quit India' movement as proof he was no freedom fighter. In August 1942, Savarkar, who was then president of the 'Hindu Mahasabha', wrote a letter to its members titled 'Stick to your Posts' . He instructed those Mahasabha members who were also "members of municipalities, local bodies, legislatures or those serving in the army...to stick to their posts" across the country, and to not join the 'Quit India' movement at any cost, says a 2013 book, 'Hindu Mahasabha in Colonial North India, 1915-1930: Constructing Nation and History', by Prabhu Bapu.

The BJP and its ideological mentor the RSS cite the fact that Savarkar was jailed by the British as proof that he was a freedom fighter.

Savarkar was jailed and released not for peaceful freedom movement but attempt murder and sabotage charges and also unlike other patriots like Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Ashfaqullah, who refused to ask the British Raj for mercy even at the cost of their lives.

But Savarkar pleaded in his plea to the British colonials that if he's freed from jail he will pledge to be "the staunchest advocate of constitutional progress and loyalty to the English government." He was duly released.

On the anniversary of his death today, several BJP leaders paid Savarkar rich tribute. BJP Karnataka leader BS Yeddyurappa said Savarkar "ignited the spark of nationalism" among many. Haryana's BJP CM ML Khattar said he "inspired the nation" during the independence movement. Priti Gandhi of the BJP called him the "epitome" of patriotism.

It is important to note Mahatma Gandhi murderer Ramnath Godse is disciple of Savarkar and at the time of Gandhi murder Savarkar also arrested for his aid to murder Gandhi. Saradar Patel who was then Home minister banned RSS for its violent activities.