With Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister constantly stating that Andhra Pradesh is in financial crisis and pushing the blame on to the Centre, the issue of 'special status' continues to be in limelight.
On the other hand, Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu and TDP leaders have been constantly giving one reason or the other for the financial crunch in AP. However, Venkaiah and his allies seem to have forgotten the elements in BJP’s poll manifesto.
On page 2 of the manifesto, it has been clearly mentioned that AP will be given special status. In fact, BJP had clearly mentioned that it was only due to pressure from BJP that the Congress gave in to the demand of giving subsidies to Andhra Pradesh.
It says that newly carved Andhra Pradesh would be given funds for five years and also given various subsidies to enable rapid industrialization if BJP comes to power. The Saffron party also mentioned that the Centre had agreed to give special packages to Uttarandhra and Rayalaseema. It was also said that the special package would be similar to the one given to Bundelkhand.
It further promised that the Centre will bear the financial deficit which will be inevitable following bifurcation. Since then, BJP sweeped the polls and it is in power at the Centre. And instead of fulfilling its pre-poll promises to the people of Andhra Pradesh, its leaders like Venkaiah Naidu are conveniently putting all blame on the Congress. They maintain that if they give special status to Andhra Pradesh, then they will have to oblige other states.
Well, that is BJP’s political strategy for you!
