AP Raises 19 issues

Nineteen key demands were placed before the Centre by the TDP leadership in its talks with the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, here on Monday evening, after day long protests rocked both the Houses of the Parliament on the issue of Special Category Status to AP.

Led by the Union Minister of State, Y S Chowdary, TDP MPs along with AP State Planning Board Vice-Chairman, Kutumba Rao and other officials, confronted the FM with their demands. Topping the list was, of course, the SCS. However, the TDP leadership was in a mood for some concession, if "more good" came the way of the State in the form of fund release as sought by the State Government.

Of the 19 issues that were raised, Vizag Railway Zone was prominent along with the Kadapa Steel Plant. The TDP also insisted on immediate fund release to fill the gap of revenue deficit of Rs 16,000 crore pending since bifurcation despite the promise.

The TDP delegation also insisted on speedy completion of the Polavaram project with 100 per cent funding and funds for the Capital City, Amaravati. The Centre could not seek shelter behind the argument that Capital city meant only a few buildings and hence its responsibility would be confined to such an extent, the delegation added.

"It is a Bhavya Nagari we are planning and you need to change your perspective completely on this one. Your unscientific bifurcation has not only deprived AP of its Capital but its revenues too. Hence your hand-holding must continue", Chowdary insisted, it is learnt.

As for Dugarajapatnam Port imbroglio, the TDP was in no mood to relent and demanded that the port be built if not at the spot, elsewhere.

National institutions needed funds, not just announcements, they told the FM to convey that their leader, N Chandrababu Naidu and the people were no mood to pardon the BJP for any betrayal.