The special status has become the proverbial apple of discord for Telugu Desam party. That the special category status will not be forthcoming is well known to the ruling party and chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. The centre is also not responsive on charter of demands Naidu submitted to Modi government for huge financial assistance. First the state demanded nearly Rs 13.2 lakh crore for foregoing capital Hyderabad. Then it came down to bare compensation to meet revenue loss to the tune of Rs 15,000 crore and Hudhud cyclone assistance as per state’s calculation, one lakh crore for capital construction and reimbursement of Rs 5000 cr spent on Polavaram.
No request made by CM Chandrababu Naidu evoked positive response Modi’s government. The issue of special status is now snowballing into a major controversy because Naidu can’t talk like J C Diwakar Reddy that Special Status was a closed chapter. Nor can he compel the centre to make some categorical statement on the demand to shield himself from Opposition attack. Tactically Naidu is avoiding a conflict with NDA regime for it would lead to realignment of political forces in Andhra and Telangana. If he distances from NDA, both YSRC and TRS are ready lap up the opportunity and fill the gap.
But, how long can Naidu control himself and hide his anger against Modi’s attitude towards Andhra Pradesh?
In fact, social media is already has become a fierce battle ground for TDP and BJP supporters. Supporters of TDP accuse centre of deliberate apathy toward AP and assail the BJP for not putting enough pressure on Modi. BJP camp is daring TDP to come out of NDA and wage battle for more funds it you really feel cheated.
To prevent his displeasure from being spilled on to the streets, Naidu has entrusted BJP-grilling to soft-spoken ministers like Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Palle Raghunatha Reddy. A section in the BJP , however, wants the chasm to grow bigger and take a belligerent stand against TDP, as they think BJP could strike roots under the shade of TDP. Leaders like D Purandeswari, Knnana Lakshminarayana, Somu Virraju etc fall in this category. Apparently they don’t like BJP playing second fiddle to TDP. These leaders have started attacking TDP government for its failures. First Kanna made a scathing attack on Pushkara arrangement and scented huge racket in the spending of Rs 1500 crore for arrangements. Purandeswari backed Rao Inderjit Singh remark on speical status. Now, Somu Virraju, national executive committee member, opposed TDP and other parties for blaming BJP on the special status. ” Consume the Biriyani served,” he said in Hyderabad in Party office indicating to TDP to make do with what is given.
Virraju said Price rise in the state was causing hardships to people in the state and government was not able to contain the prices. ” Government should force awake the vigilance department from slumber to take action against the hoarders. A farmer is offered Rs 1350 as support price for paddy, while the rice is sold at whopping Rs 40 per kg in Market. What is the vigilance department doing,” he asked. He wondered as to how state pays Rs 350 per bag of cement while centre gets it for just Rs 150 for central programs. He was indicating that the government was responsible for high cement prices in the state. People see Virraju’s attack on corruption in TDP government is the beginning of the end of TDP-BJP alliance.
