The BJP-led NDA government a the Centre on Monday delivered a shocker to AP CM YS Jaganmohan Reddy by stating that there is no question of giving Special Category Status (SC) to any state in the country.
In a written reply given by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Lok Sabha, the Centre made it clear that it had received requests from seven states including Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to accord special category status but the Centre has no plans to extend special category status to any state.
Soon after Jagan became CM, he visited New Delhi and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to accord special status to AP.
Even in the recent Niti Aayog meeting convened by PM Modi with CMs of all states in Delhi, Jagan made a powerful presentation on the need to give special status to AP as it is lagging behind on several fronts when compared with Telangana after bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.
Jagan explained in detail how AP suffered a lot after it lost Hyderabad to Telangana. He said only SCS to AP would ensure adequate industries, development and employment for AP people.
Jagan submitted a report to PM, union ministers and CMs of all states how AP was adversely hit on all fronts after bifurcation and why AP needs special status.
However, the latest statement given by Centre in Lok Sabha on Monday proved that Jagan's argument for special status for AP did not create any impact on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
