There is so much talked about these days in Andhra Pradesh between the ruling Telugu Desam Party on one side and its former ally, Bharatiya Janata Party on the other. The two parties, which were friends for four years, are now hurling abuses and accusations against each other. They are also holding each other responsible for betrayal of the people.
The bone of contention between the two parties is the granting of special category status to the State, a promise that was made by the then Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the floor of Rajya Sabha at the time of passing of the AP Reorganisation Act. The BJP, which was in Opposition at that time, had raised objections to the bifurcation though completely not against it. Its leader M Venkaiah Naidu took the lead in raising objections to the Bill and it was so important for the Congress to pass the Bill. Then at that critical point of time, came the special category status proposal and Dr Man Mohan Singh had made it for five years. But, the BJP and its Venkaiah Naidu insisted on giving the special category status for 10 years. That was how the special category status came to existence in connection with Andhra Pradesh.
Interestingly, Chandrababu Naidu had asked the special category status for 15 years while the BJP had promised it for 10 years during the elections. Four years in power, the two parties have changed their minds, while people kept it to their hearts. BJP had come up with the special package in place of special category status and TDP had welcomed it. Chandrababu Naidu had gone all the way to Delhi and facilitated the BJP leaders for granting special package.
A year later, things took a different turn with the TDP once again asking for the special category status, while the BJP standing firm on the package. What went wrong between the two parties on the key issue is not known to the people. What is said by both the parties in the public is too contradictory and people are confused with who is lying.
The other day, when Union Minister of State looking after the Prime Minister’s Office, Jitender Singh, visited Vijayawada and closeted with the media persons, he had his own ‘truth’ to the story. He had completely denied the charge that the Central government took back Rs 350 crore given to the State towards the Backward Districts Development, while TDP goes on repeating the charge. “There is no PMO intervention in devolution of funds to the States. Though it is decided in consultation with the PM, the devolution is executed by the Finance Ministry and it is not true that PMO had directed finance ministry to take back the funds given to the State. Let the TDP come out with facts and prove this charge,” he said dismissing the TDP’s claim over the funds.
Likewise, there are so many issues that are talked openly by the TDP leaders against the BJP, while the BJP dismisses them as blatant lies. The two parties which went to the polls together in 2014 elections convincing the people on development of the State are now confusing the people ahead of the 2019 polls.
