Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the first time admitted that he had `sacrificed’ Special Status to the state for the sake of Polavaram project. Till now, he has been stating that he had accepted `Special Package’ as that would be more beneficial to the state.

Laying foundation stone for Purushothapatnam lift irrigation scheme in East Godavari district, he asked the public that had he resorted to fight against the Centre on the issue of Special Status, is it would be possible for the state to realise decades-old dream of Polaravam ?

After the centre provided NABARD assistance of Rs 1980 crore for Polavaram project, a new confidence is reflecting in Chandrababu Naidu’s face. Now he seems to be sure that it would be possible for him to complete main dam construction before completion of his present term.

Wherever he goes he has been projecting Polavaram as major achievement in his long political career. He is expressing confidence that this project would makes the state `drought free’. With the diversion of Godavari water to Krishna River, he is stating that even drought-hit Rayalaseema would be flourished.

Attempting to create an impression that for the sake of Polavaram he has been preparing for any `sacrifices’, last week he revealed another act of his. Again for the first time, since a week he is claiming that he even `threatened’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will not take oath as Chief Minister unless seven submerged mandals from Khammam districts merged with Andhra Pradesh.

It may be recalled that in his first ever cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved to bring out an ordinance for merger of these mandals. Otherwise, it was feared the project would become victim of inter-state disputes. However, BJP sources are taking light of his claims. A senior BJP leader wondered that at a time Modi’s popularity was at high peak is it would be believable that Naidu dares to use such harsh words ?