Vijayawada: Reiterating that he is still not accepting anything short of special status, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister on Wednesday said the progress of the State would be on fast-track if the Centre speed up in releasing the special development package to Andhra Pradesh.

He was speaking to media persons in Vijayawada soon after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a special package by convening a late-night press conference in New Delhi. “Although there is demand for special status from the people of the State, the Centre has come forward to provide equal amount of money what the State could get from special status,” he said.

“I am very happy if they give us special status, what can we do if they don’t give?, we don’t have any option other than accepting it,” the AP CM remarked.

Chandrababu Naidu stressed the need for legislation on the announcement made by Arun Jaitley on behalf of the NDA government. Primarily, the BJP government should fulfill the promises made during the State bifurcation, he said. Recommendations of 14th Finance Commission should be take into consideration.