The political battle lines are drawn in Andhra Pradesh, with the issue of special category status for the state becoming a particulary simmering subject.
Meeting a delegation of BJP leaders from Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that there are ample opportunities for development in the state. The delegation had gone to meet Mr Modi to thank him for the special financial package that was announced two days ago.
However, that package is unlikely to keep the Opposition quiet regarding the issue. In the recently-concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament, Congress Rajya Sabha MP K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao had put up a private member’s bill regarding special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The government said that this was a money bill and could not be taken up by the Upper House. The Congress alleged that the government was not being upfront and was negating the promise made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the floor of the House. Congress MPs Renuka Chaudhary and Jairam Ramesh asked the chair to intervene. The matter regarding whether the bill was a money bill or not has been referred to Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to take a call.
The TDP, BJP ally, and with other Opposition parties were up in arms regarding special category status for Andhra Pradesh.
In the Assembly session which began in Hyderabad, the Opposition is cornered the state government on the issue. Congress MP Kapil Sibal said that “the government is going back on its promise, if this is the logic which has to be followed, then every bill can be termed as a money bill.”
Special category status has now become an emotive issue in the state. All political parties are trying to milk the issue. The Central government, trying to preempt the anger on the issue, announced a financial package. This included the funding of the Polavaram irrigation project and several tax concessions. However, the demand for special category status is still making waves. Come the Winter Session of Parliament, the demand is likely to get louder.
