Alliance with BJP is still in place: TDP

Amaravati, Feb. 4: The TDP on Sunday said its alliance with the BJP in Andhra Pradesh and the Centre is very much alive, a clarification which came amid speculation that the party is upset over the “raw deal” that the state got in the Union Budget.

TDP leader and Union minister Y. Satyanarayana Chowdary told reporters, “As of today it ( the alliance) is just going on. We never said ( about snapping ties)... It’s all speculation.”

Amaravati, Feb. 4: The TDP on Sunday said its alliance with the BJP in Andhra Pradesh and the Centre was very much alive, following speculation that the party was disgruntled over the “raw deal” that the state got in the Union Budget.

TDP leader and Union minister Y. Satyanarayana Chowdary briefed the media Sunday afternoon about deliberations at a meeting convened by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on the Budget.

“As and when it is required, the chief minister and party chief will take the decision appropriately. As of today it ( the alliance) is just going on. We never said ( about snapping ties)... It’s all speculation,” he said here.

“Our state is in a disadvantageous position due to bifurcation ( of united Andhra Pradesh). People are dissatisfied because there is no specific mention of state issues in the Union Budget. All this was discussed,” he said.

The meeting was attended by party MPs, a few state ministers, senior TDP leaders and senior bureaucrats.

“We have already taken up the issues with the Union finance minister, railway minister ( on setting up a railway zone in Vi s a k h a p a t n a m ) . Definitely, in the next 2- 3 days we are hopeful everything will be resolved,” he added.

Mr Chowdary added that the TDP would raise the state’s demands, if required, in Parliament.

Some of the issues over which the TDP is miffed are the implementation of a special financial package for the state, setting up of a railway zone, deficit finance and schemes related to development of Amaravati as the state capital.

“People ( of Andhra Pradesh) are looking forward with anticipation. They ( the Centre) have done something, but much more needs to be done. We will discuss these things in the next two- three days and try to work out a solution,” Mr Chowdary added.

“If required we will protest inside Parliament. We are discussing specific points. If we don’t get clarity, definitely we will protest inside Parliament during the ( Budget) session,” the Union minister said.

As and when it is required, the chief minister and party chief will take the decision appropriately. As of today it ( the alliance) is just going on.

— Y. S. Chowdary,

TDP leader