New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy once again vociferously demanded Special Category Status (SCS) for his state during the meeting of Fifth Governing Council of NITI Aayog in New Delhi. Terming the status as an "essential lifeline" for Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister said, "It is disheartening when we hear several rumours and excuses for not granting special category status."
On "widely rumoured argument" that few other states may demand SCS if it is granted to Andhra Pradesh, the Chief Minister said, "In the history of this country no other state was bifurcated with a pre-condition that special category status would be accorded to compensate the economic and financial hardships such bifurcation would entail, which was supported by both ruling and opposition parties that had representatives from all the states."
During his speech, the Andhra Chief Minister also criticised the previous TDP government led by Chandrababu Naidu for "mis-governance and institutionalising corruption". "Mis-governance and institutionalised corruption coupled with lack of sincerity during the past five years have left the state with high unemployment amongst youth, lack of investment in infrastructure and industry, a sharp deterioration of public education and health system and empty coffers," he said.
Jagan seeks Amit Shah's help
Earlier, Jagan Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the special status issue. Jagan Reddy said he took an appointment with the Home Minister "to try and prevail over him and to also soften PM's heart on the special category status. The meeting comes just five days after PM Modi promised "all cooperation from the centre for Andhra Pradesh's development" during a visit to the temple town of Tirupati. PM Modi was received at Tirupati by Jagan Reddy, who accompanied him to the temple.
PM Modi's comment was linked by many to special status for Andhra, a long-standing demand that was promised by the Congress-led UPA government back in 2014, but has yet to be delivered by the current government. Former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu ended his alliance with the BJP last year over his demand for special status. Naidu was defeated in the assembly and national polls held in Andhra Pradesh last month.
Jagan Reddy's YSR Congress won 151 from 175 seats, crushing the TDP. In the Lok Sabha polls, the party swept to victory in 22 of 25 parliamentary constituencies, making it the fourth-largest in parliament, behind the BJP, the Congress and the DMK. Special status means a large infusion of central funds to help with the state government's plans to develop its new capital Amaravati.
