With Suddenly the special status issue occupying the centre stage of Andhra Politics, Telugu Desam Party has become desperate to project itselef the champion of the cause.

One need not be political pundit to say this is an unfair attempt. In the past 23 months the issue has never been a core demand for the ruling party . Since their boss and chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had harbored a different view on special status, ministers and TDP leaders had always
refrained from talking about the subject loudly.

For good or bad, Chandrababu Naidu has been under the impression that state would get more benefits by remaining outside the special category status. In his view, if the special status is bestowed on the state, AP would be denied all those things which are outside the purview of the special status. So, he used to say the special status is not a Sanjeevani- cure-all pill for AP. In a way it’s a sound argument.

But, now battered by BJP, YSRCP, Congress and the Left, and left with no choice, the TDP is trying to promote the CM as champion of the special status fight. All TDP spokesmen, ministers Narayana, Prathipati Pullarao, senior leaders Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, Dokka Manikya Varaprasada, for the past three days have constantly been drumming up that Naidu is calling on Prime Minister Modi in New Delhi on May 17 only to discuss the special status issue. This is a blatant lie. Naidu has been asked to come to Delhi to discuss the drought issue with the Prime Minister.

Following the Supreme Court ruling on drought situation in India, the PM has launched discussion with the CMs of all drought-hit states. Telangana CM and Maharashtra CM have already had their meetings. So, Naidu is expected to discuss drought and relief. And in the course of his talks he can raise other issues like implementation of provisions of AP Reorganization Act,2014. He is unlikely to dwell on special status issue because Naidu is not the one who raises an issue which he believes is not so beneficial to the state.

To launch a campaign that Naidu is expected to meet the PM only to clinch the deal on special status is only to make him a hero amid the raging controversy over the subject.