Centre has let down Andhra, says Sonia

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday accused the Narendra Modiled NDA government of failing to fulfil promises made to the people of Andhra Pradesh — when Telangana was carved out — even as the government sought more time to implement the commitments made when the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was in power.

Initiating the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha, Gandhi said it was disappointing to find that the government has not shown any interest in fulfilling these commitments. She added that it was even more perplexing, considering that the Telugu Desam party (TDP) and the BJP have been part of the ruling coalition in Andhra Pradesh and at the Centre for the last nine months.

“Nine months have gone by and they are feeling that they have been taken for granted,” she continued, while recalling her two letters to PM Modi on the issue. She said that the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had committed in the Rajya Sabha that Andhra Pradesh would be granted special category status.

Meanwhile, the bill aimed at increasing number of members of legislative council in Andhra Pradesh to 58 from 50 was also passed in the Lok Sabha.

Gandhi also said that the 14th Finance Commission has not done “full justice” to the needs of the state and accused the government of not doing anything “substantial” for funding the new capital for the state.

In reply, parliamentary affairs minister M Venkaiah Naidu rejected the charge and claimed that the government had done well in Andhra Pradesh. He asked the members to have patience, saying that all ministries were working to ensure fulfilment of the Centre’s commitments towards Andhra Pradesh. “There is no question of going back and we will ensure satisfaction of the people,” he added.