As expected, AP Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has begun a damage control mission on the issue of getting Central funds. The Modi government has not so far responded favourably to the AP CM pleas for financial support for development projects. Six months are over without much Central support. Jagan Reddy is now demanding the Centre to release Rs. 13,223 Cr towards Polavaram. This includes Rs. 3,223 Cr Polavaram arrears and Rs. 10,000 Cr R&R packages.
The CM has now asked his MPs to begin bringing pressure on the Centre in this respect. He is also demanding for Rs. 18,969 Cr from the Centre towards AP revenue deficit. Ever since the 2014 state separation, Andhra has been in revenue deficit while Telangana has got revenue surplus.
Political circles say that Jagan Reddy has no choice but to agitate against the Modi government. But still, it is still whether YCP MPs will make genuine efforts to raise AP demands in the coming Parliament session. The BJP national leaders are already taking Jagan Reddy easy considering his CBI multi-crore illegal assets cases. Interestingly, Jagan is bringing once again the Special Status issue. Actually, Jagan indicated after election result that he was helpless as BJP had won full majority in the Lok Sabha without requiring to depend on other parties like YCP.
