The stories appearing in a section of media about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s assurance to consider special status to Andhra Pradesh are said to be part of the media management by AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to divert the people’s attention from burning issues like land acquisition for Amaravati and outrage over reservation for Kapus.
According to sources, the Niti Aayog has approved a tentative special package for Andhra Pradesh and not the special status.
Even Narendra Modi is learnt to have told Naidu the same, though the Chief Minister told the media in New Delhi that he had taken up the special category status for AP with the Prime Minister.
Even with regard to special package, it is likely to include the assistance given to AP so far for the new capital, besides already sanctioned educational institutions and railway zone for Visakhapatnam. So, there may not be huge financial assistance as is projected by pro-Naidu media.
The Opposition parties naturally lashed out at Naidu for enacting high drama on special status. They are demanding that Modi and Naidu to declare special category status to the State immediately.
“The Chief Minister presenting memoranda at Delhi seeking special category status and implementation of other assurances given at the time of bifurcation of the State shows that a new drama is being enacted. The Centre should announce special status, if it has honesty and commitment. If Chandrababu Naidu is really committed, the TDP should withdraw its Ministers from the Central Ministry,” an Opposition leader commented.
