Haribabu tears into TDP on Centre’s aid to state

New Delhi: When it was the turn of the BJP speakers to take on the TDP over its no-trust motion, the sharpest and pointed attack came from none other than Kambhampati Haribabu, BJP MP from Vishakhapatnam to the surprise of the TDP.

Haribabu was one of the most vociferous voices all these years in raising the AP demands put forth by the TDP and Chief Minister  N Chandrababu Naidu. Despite being the president of the state unit for the best part of the four year alliance with the TDP, he was ever ready to voice the TDP grievances more effectively than the most.

On Friday, the friend-turned-foe questioned the TDP’s reason for moving the motion. “Did you move the motion because the Centre merged the seven mandals (of Khammam) in the first Cabinet meeting (as it was necessary to pave way for the smooth work of Polavaram) ?.

Did you move it because the Centre started 10 projects within three years instead of the 10 years promised in the Act? Did you move it because the Centre promised to extend Rs 17,500 crore assistance through an SPV (Special Purpose Vehicle) to offset the non-SCS status? Or is it because we have been fulfilling all promises and releasing funds?", he said. 

In defence, Haribabu listed various releases of the Centre to AP citing revenue devolutions to Revenue Deficit. “The Centre agreed to release of Rs 17,500 crore towards compensation because SCS is not being accorded. The difference of 30 per cent that the SCS states would get, we agreed to release it through externally aided projects route. The state government took one and-a-half years to seek the same through domestic funding.

Centre said it would lead to a problem of FRBM and hence, an SPV must be formed. You have not done it. Form the SPV now, give the account number, you will get the funds by tomorrow morning. Why dont you do it?,” he said. 

As for the motion itself, Haribabu said it was more because of the politics that the TDP preferred it. “For four years we were together. For political reasons you took this now. But, we will continue giving assistance to AP whatever may be your politics,” he declared. 

Earlier, when his speech was being interrupted by the TDP and the Congress members, he reminded them that NTR who established the TDP to fight the Congress would be watching their coming together now.

“You have gone to the Congress. You have chosen your path. I have seen you going to the Congress for floor coordination. Remember, NTR's soul will be watching it,” he told TDP members.