BJP plans to raise Seema, Uttarandhra issues

Vijayawada: The BJP state unit wants to raise its voice strongly over the problems of north Andhra and Rayalaseema regions. The BJP leadership changed its earlier stand to organise interactions with people highlighting the Centre's allocation of funds to the state and debate on regional imbalances. 

As per the new strategy, the state BJP leaders will make concrete efforts to announce some incentives and sops in the Union Budget for satisfying people of two regions. Earlier, the BJP leaders had decided to organise interactions in each district by distributing pamphlets with details of Centre’s allocation of funds to the state.

The BJP national leadership assured the local leadership to send several Union ministers to explain the department wise allocations to the state. According to sources, now the state leadership changed its plans following suggestions from the national leadership. Now, the BJP state leadership totally targeted to highlight the neglect of Uttarandhra and backwardness of Rayalaseema in the name of regional issues. 

Already the state party leadership has started highlighting various issues of Rayalaseema from Kurnool as headquarters. Under the plan, the party has extended support to advocates’ agitation demanding establishment of the High Court in Kurnool.

Similarly, the BJP also wants to raise decentralised development slogan by recalling its party manifesto which already included it in the last Assembly elections. Moreover, the BJP leaders criticised the TDP for its failure to get nod for port in Prakasam and Nellore districts. The leaders said the government could not show alternative plans for Dugarajapatnam port.

Similar plans are also ready for Uttarandhra districts. The BJP has decided to corner the state government over the diversion of funds allotted by the Centre for the development of backward districts in Uttarandhra. Moreover, the Centre would announce railway zone for Visakhapatnam before next general elections, said senior BJP leader Y Raghunatha Babu. 

He said the government was seriously taking steps to resolve railway zone issue as early as possible. Another senior leader speaking to The Hans India said that railway zone allocation would cover entire Uttarandhra districts. Some more favours from the Centre would set right the regional imbalances in Rayalaseema besides strengthening BJP’s vote bank, he said.

By Patibandla Srinivas