Forget special status, it now appears as if the State is not going to get any special package either from the Union Government.
This is clear from the letter written by Deputy Secretary in Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Ashish Dutta, to YS Jagan. Mr. Dutta said in his letter that since AP did not qualify for special status according to the criteria laid down by the Planning Commission (NITI Aayog), no special package of industrial incentive can be considered for the State.
He further said that the State governments were responsible for industrial development in their respective states and the Union government supplements their efforts through various schemes with a view to promote industrialization in industrially backward areas of the nation.
When a special industrial package can only be given as part of a special status then there is obviously no question of one such package being exclusively designed for Andhra Pradesh. Judging from the letter, the future response of the BJP becomes pretty much clear.
Promise them special status; go back on your word! Promise them a special package; go back on your word! It’s all right! They are Andhras! We can take them for a ride!
