In an indirect attack at BJP leaders, AP CM Chandrababu Naidu has said that it is not good for entire India if the government at the Centre pursues policies of political opportunism and revenge-taking against Southern states where its rivals are in power.
Naidu expressed concern that already, there are growing feelings among the Southern states that they are facing discrimination and injustice from the Centre.
“If those in power at Centre do not behave with responsibilities, then it will have a dangerous impact on the entire country. Southern states are very much concerned about this,” CM said.
Speaking to TDP leaders after visit of 15th Finance Commission, Naidu lamented that AP could be described as the nation-wide political victim of this decade going by the manner in which its political and economic institutions were being systematically crushed.
He deplored that though AP was working hard and getting 10.5 per cent growth rate despite many hurdles, the state could not become equal with other states due to lack of a level-playing field in funds allocation and new development projects.
Naidu said that AP was able to overcome problems in times of natural calamities like super cyclones ‘Hud Hud and Pitili’ but the state was struggling hard to find solutions to face political bias and vindictiveness being shown by the Centre.
He asserted that South was facing lot of injustice from the Centre from the beginning and Delhi leadership was not caring for Southern CMs.
Stating that massive funds were required for the reconstruction of AP, Naidu said 15th Finance Commission was informed about the need for providing Rs. 37,437 crore for Amaravati capital city construction which would actually require Rs. 1.09 lakh crore if all the works have to be taken up immediately.
He also said there was a need for the Centre to provide Rs. 22,500 crore to backward districts development and Rs. 10,000 crore to networking of roads and highways in AP.
Naidu insisted on the Finance Commission to take 1975 Census as the basis for funds allocations to different states till 2025 so that those states like AP which implemented population control measures successfully would get suitable incentives and encouragement to take such progressive schemes in future.
