TDP steals Special Category Status show from YSRCP

Tirupati: It is interesting to note that the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) dominating the anti-Centre and pro-Special Category Status (SCS) stir which is going on full swing all over the state, though it jumped lately on the bandwagon, leaving behind its main rival YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).

The TDP which was all these days maintaining a low profile on the SCS after the party preference changed to special package. The TDP severed its ties with BJP, two weeks back after Modi government had made it clear SCS to AP was not possible.

The party unit in the native district of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu wasted no time with its leaders coming on to the streets against the Central government, probably to show that Naidu’s home turf is second to none in acting according to the wishes of the party supremo, who waged an all-out war on the Centre and particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the SCS issue.

No day is passed without protest in the pilgrim city and across the district since March 10, demanding SCS to AP. As the local leaders vying with each other to make their presence known, they are not leaving any stones unturned to mobilise their followers making the protests big while leaders including those holding nominated posts, MLAs, ZP Chairman and others not missing to strongly hit out at the NDA government on SCS in the press conferences, round-table gatherings, rallies, meetings and mock parliament etc.

It was YSRCP and Left parties that have been vociferously demanding SCS, even as TDP was sulking and YS Jaganmohan Reddy focusing more on the issues in his Padayatra coupled with the party’s no-confidence move responsible for building pressure on the ruling party. However, the YSRCP is lagging behind in the current movement.

TDP allied wings including Telugu Mahila, Telugu Yuvatha, Telugu Nadu Students Federation, Medical wing and Telugu Nadu Trade Union Council also actively participating in the current agitation resulting in the ruling party dominating the anti-Centre protests much to the dismay of the main opposition party YSRCP in the district.

The Communists too, on the other hand separately leading agitation spiritedly as they have committed followers and cadre based, In the process, YSRCP protests that is remaining limited to few dharnas and meetings by its leaders on SCS making its agitation rather a pale show compared to the high pitch TDP stir in the district.

TDP leaders including TUDA Chairman G Narasimha Yadav, city president Dampuri Bhaskar, district Medical wing president R Sudharani, who are active in the ongoing pro-SCS stir informed that the agitation will go on till the Centre budges, hinting that in the coming days the stir will be intensified. Political Pundits observe the stir as redoubled efforts by TDP only to erase the memory of its previous stand of supporting special package still lingering on the minds of the people.

By G Sridhar