Asserting that special status was not the only way to develop Andhra Pradesh, Chandrababu Naidu asked the opposition parties not to politicize the issue.
He said that special packages could also solve the state’s problems and industrial incentives were not linked to special status.
“As Chief Minister, I turned United AP into a surplus budget state. I will do the same with AP now,” he said.
Despite his words, it is important for AP to be get special status not for developmental reasons alone. It is the way that the State is being treated by the Union governments. They are taking the people of AP for granted time and again. Bifurcation happened against the wishes of the people.
Now, they are fearlessly going back on a promise made in the sacred hall of Parliament, comfortable in the knowledge that AP people are peace-loving and will cause no trouble.
Maybe, Hardik Patel’s strategy is right after all. Torching government property and resorting to violence will probably make the Union government sit up and take notice just like the way in which we freed ourselves from Madras.
When a constitutionally elected government fails to honor its promise to the people because of which it got elected, what options do the people have apart from resorting to unconstitutional methods?
By Viswanath Reddy
