BJP wants to continue ties with TDP

Vijayawada: BJP state president K Haribabu said the development of Andhra Pradesh would be possible with cooperation between State and Central governments.

Addressing Krishna district BJP workers meeting here on Friday, Haribabu said the BJP wants to continue the cooperation with the TDP for comprehensive development of the state and made it clear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen on the development of AP. 

The rank and file of BJP should counter the criticism of Opposition parties against the Centre, he said and added the development in the state would be possible with the cooperation of Prime Minister Modi only.

He reiterated that the development took place in the state so far was due to the Centre’s cooperation and it should be given wide publicity. The MP also said the Centre had given utmost priority to AP, which did not extend to any other state in the country.

He took strong exception to the comments of Congress that it would accord Special Category Status to the state if it voted to power in next elections.  He questioned the Congress as to why it did not accord SCS when they were in power in the past.

The Centre was providing various benefits to the state even some of them were not in the AP Reorganisation Act, he said and added that the Congress had no right to speak on State's interests.

“Only five issues are pending with the Centre. The political decision will come in favour of Visakhapatnam railway zone soon. The Centre has plans to fill revenue deficit under special package. 

The Centre asked the State government to show alternative site instead of establishment of Dugarajapatnam Port while discussions are going on over the implementation of Kadapa steel factory,” he clarified.  

The BJP state president has dismissed the publicity over the extension of SCS to three states which have already been enjoying it. If anybody proves it, Haribabu said he would ready to fight with the Centre in this regard.  He also said the Centre had approved Rs 1 lakh crore for road projects for the state and funds would be released soon. 

BJP state general secretary Jammula Shyam Kishore, former minister Yerneni Sita Devi, AP Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Chairman Lakshmipathi and Minority Morcha president Shaik Baji were present.