Opposition united on special status

​Vijayawada: The issue of denial of special status category to Andhra Pradesh is turning out to a major political battle between the TDP and BJP on one hand and the opposition parties. The Centre’s stand on the special status has united opposition parties in a way.

The Congress party, which took out rallies and burnt effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, extended support to the state-wide bandh call given by the YSRCP on August 2. Referring to reply given by Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley,

Congress senior leader Undavalli Arun Kumar said in Rajahmahendravaram that the UPA government had sent the draft ordinance approved by the cabinet to the President of India which included special category status for AP, filling up the fiscal deficit and merger of seven mandals but since elections were announced, it could not be promulgated. He demanded that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu act tough with the Centre and put maximum pressure for special status.

CPI state unit secretary K Ramakrishna and Andhra Pradesh Intellectuals Forum convener Chalasani Srinivasa Rao appealed to all the political parties, people’s organisations, workers and students’ associations to make the state-wide band for special status on August 2 a success.

Addressing a joint press conference on Saturday, Ramakrishna asked the TDP chief to be personally present on August 5 in New Delhi when the Private Member’s Bill would come up for voting in Rajya Sabha and make concerted efforts by coordinating with all the parties.

When asked if his party would support the August 2 bandh, he said it would be better if all parties come together and jointly organise a bandh. It was not the time for individual fight, he said. The CPI state secretary also demanded that the Chief Minister convene an all-party meeting and lead a delegation to the Prime Minister.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had expressed his displeasure over the Centre, has convened a meeting of party MPs on Sunday at his residence. This crucial meeting will discuss the latest political developments and will work out a strategy to counter the Centre. The TDP feels that it cannot be a mute spectator as the issue is taking a serious political turn and could adversely affect its political future.

The TDP MPs have already started making harsh comments against the central government. Vijayawada MP Kesineni and Rajamahendravaram MP M Murali Mohan not only expressed their ire over the Centre for ditching the people of the state but also said that they were ready to resign from Lok Sabha if need be. Both the MPs found fault with Jaitley linking special status to 14th finance commission.

Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu also sought the opinion of TTDP leaders on what stand the party should adopt with regard to BJP at a meeting held at his residence on Saturday evening.

On the other hand, BJP MLA Akula Satyanarayana and senior leader D Purandeswari felt that TDP was leveling baseless allegations. Purandreswari said that the Centre was ready to offer any help the state wants and it was for the Chief Minister to approach the Union government for help.

She said as far as the financial aid for capital city was concernced, the state government should submit the master plan and detailed project report. How the Centre can help the state without following the protocol, she said.