BJP central observer to Andhra Pradesh Sidhrthnatha Singh today added more confusion to the central assistance debate in Andhra Pradesh. While BJP president Amith Shah, during his visit to Rajahumundry in March, said centre had given Rs 1.40 lakh crore to Andhra Pradesh, Sidharthnath Singh, who is in Vijayawada on Friday to attend party core committee meeting, said so far Andhra Pradesh had got benefitted to the tune of Rs 1. 75 lakh crore from the central assistance. He said Andhra was a ‘special state’ for centre and special assistance had been extended, though it couldn’t be categorized as special category state. ” Constitution doesn’t permit to bestow special category status on Andhra Pradesh,” he added.
Reacting on the TDP criticism that BJP would go Congress way in the state if it denies special category status, Sidharthnath Singh said special category status was not a practicable proposition. ” Some people are using it as a tool for political propaganda.” he added.
” The implementation special category status is not possible because it is not part of the AP Reorganization Act, 2014. It needs an amendment to the constitution which is not practicable,” he said.
” While you want special status to Andhra Pradesh, Centre is treating it as special state and extending assistance. The 14 th finance commission recommended 30 per cent more additional funds to the AP over the regular devolution of funds,” He said.
Meanwhile TDP spokesperson Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy cautioned the NDA government not to backpedal on assurance given by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi on special category status. ” If you don’t implement the assurance, you would perish in Andhra Pradesh like the Congress,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Municipal Administration minister P Narayana said chief minister Chandrababu Naidu would be discussing the issue with Prime Minister Modi when he calls on the PM on May 17. Narayana is not ready for a open confrontation with the centre.” They (opposition) want us to quarrel with centre. If we quarrel we would be denied what we are getting now,” he said.
