TDP, oppn lash out at Modi govt over spl status to AP
NEW DELHI: The TDP and other opposition parties on Tuesday asked the Bjp-led government to honour its assurances in letter and spirit by granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh, as the BJP accused it of misleading its own people.
Participating in a short duration discussion in the Rajya Sabha on non-implementation of the provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014, Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad said the Narendra Modi government should fulfill the promises made by it as well as the erstwhile UPA dispensation.
He also warned that there could be a privilege motion against the NDA government if this was not done.
However, BJP member GVL Narasimha Rao, making his maiden speech in the House, defended the government saying the Centre has fulfilled most of the promises made to Andhra Pradesh and accused the TDP of “misleading its own people.”
Initiating the debate, TDP leader YS Chowdhary said the “hasty and unscientifically prepared and politically motivated decision of the undivided Andhra Pradesh” had caused agony to the people of the state.
“The frustration and helplessness of the people of AP has serious implication for the future of the country as it rightly aspires to find its due place,” he said and listed out nine reasons due to which for future of people of the state to be in “dark”.
He claimed that the government has “blatantly” violated the provisions of the Constitution and neglected the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
He also alleged the NDA government has “carefully orchestrated a misinformation campaign against the state with regard to special category status and central assistance given under the so called special package.”
BJP’S Narsimha Rao said a national investment and manufacturing zone had been sanctioned for the Prakasam area in Andhra Pradesh while of the four new industrial corridors approved, two passed through Andhra Pradesh.
He said a new city had been planned on the Chennai- Bengaluru corridor for which there had been delay on the part of the state government in acquiring the required land. The project would create upto six lakh jobs, he added.
As some opposition members expressed disbelief at his claim, the BJP leader said he was quoting the SP leader Ram Gopal Yadav said the division of large states was not a good idea as they cemented the country.
Andhra Pradesh was a large and successful state and its bifurcation has led to these problems, he said.
It is not necessary that a smaller state will make greater progress, he said adding Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand even witnessed Naxal problem after they were created.
Yadav said Andhra Pradesh, after the bifurcation, needed support and the Centre should fulfill all the promises made.
AIADMK leader A Navneethkrishnan spoke of a downturn in grants being provided by the Centre to Tamil Nadu.
TMC leader Derek O’brien said the BJP was good at making promises and marketing but failed to implement its promises.
He said even BJP’S long term ally Shiv Sena has also expressed reservations. It is for the BJP to reflect, he said.
Taking a dig at Rao, O’brien said his Aadhaar (base) was from New Delhi, but he was representing Uttar Pradesh in the House. But now, he was speaking for Andhra Pradesh.
He said Bengal was also not being provided sufficient funds. O’brien also claimed that the TMC had tripled farmers’ income in the state in seven years while the Centre was struggling to fulfill its promise of doubling the income of the peasants.
Prasanna Acharya (BJD) supported the demand for special status to Andhra but added that Odisha too was a fit case for such a status. “We meet all conditions,” he asserted.
Ram Chandra Prasad Singh JD(U) also added that Bihar too required special support. Bihar should also get the benefits the same day that Andhra Pradesh gets it, he said. Keshava Rao (TRS) said the promises made should be fulfilled.