Modi-Babu meet on Jan 12

New Delhi: There appears to be a change in the attitude of the NDA government led by Narendra Modi in regard to its alliance partners after the narrow victory it got in the Gujarat elections. The Prime Minister who did not meet the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for the past one year has now finally agreed to meet him on January 12 to discuss the unfulfilled and long-pending issues which are part of AP State Reorganisation Act.

The quick response from the Prime Minister’s Office just a day after the AP TDP leaders called on the Prime Minister on Friday assumes importance as it is expected to take certain important decisions in regard to the long-pending issues like Special Railway Zone to Andhra Pradesh, financial assistance to the sunrise capital city Amravati, grants and loans, bridging the revenue gap, reorganisation of the Assembly constituencies, release of funds under the special package and other pending issues.

Both the leaders are also expected to discuss the overall political situation in the state and this is expected to clear the air about the continuation of alliance and may also help in reducing the on and off differences that have been cropping up between the two parties.

Some broad working formula to ensure that the alliance dharma is honoured is likely to be worked out. It now remains to be seen to what extent the Centre would agree to help the state. The Centre will have to accordingly make necessary allocation in the Union Budget as well.

As far as delimitation of Assembly constituencies is concerned, the Centre will have to tread a cautious path since if it agrees to go in for delimitation of constituencies in Andhra Pradesh it will have to do the same in Telangana as well. With speculations rife that the Centre may prepone general elections, it remains to be seen if it would really agree for it since it involves amendment to the Constitution.