BJP hopes Narendra Modi may announce sops to state during his visit

Vijayawada: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s January 6 visit and public meeting in Gutnur assumes significance as it comes amid political heat over Special Category Status and other promises to the state. This is also Prime Minister’s first visit to the state after the break up of BJP and TDP. 

State BJP leaders are making arrangements to make Modi’s public meeting meeting a grand success. A section of BJP leaders are said to be hoping that state politics may witness new developments after Modi’s visit.

Indeed, the BJP has been making plans for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Andhra Pradesh tour since March this year. But it was postponed several times due to various reasons. At first, the BJP planned to conduct a meeting in Vizag and Tadepalligudem with the participation of the Prime Minister.

But finally Guntur city has been finalised as the venue since it is the home town of AP BJP president Kanna Lakshminarayana. As he has a base there, he is expected to mobilise a large number of people for the meeting. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will explain all the Central government schemes which were taken up during the last four-and-a-half years besides listing out benefits given to the state by the Centre. 

According to sources, the BJP top leadership is urging the Central government to make announce some new sops to the state ahead or during Modi’s visit.  One senior leader on condition of anonymity said that the Central government may announce steel factory, port and special package funds to Andhra Pradesh.

He also said that it would be no surprise if the Prime Minister announced the SCS for the state. Similarly, the meeting may pave the way to the new political polarisation in the state.

Senior political analyst M Srinivasa Rao said Jana Sena may express readiness to join hands with BJP immediately after announcement of sops by the Prime Minister. Whether the BJP would join them or not would be known after it gets clarity on public mood at the time of elections, he said.