Chandrababu Naidu ups ante over AP funds, seeks timelines

Vijayawada: Miffed with lack of clarity on the Centre’s funding to Andhra Pradesh, TD chief and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday asked the NDA government to spell out a plan of action for the state with clear timelines.

“We have converted the problems of AP into a national agenda. The injustice done to AP has become a point of debate across the country. We now have to go ahead rationally and secure our rights, the TD chief said. Since it was the previous (UPA) government at the Centre that committed the mistake, the onus was now on the current (NDA) government to rectify it,” Mr Naidu told his MPs through a teleconference.

He said “this is a problem between two governments (the Centre and the state). This is a problem on which we have to fight in Parliament and not on the streets.”

Mr Naidu demanded a special discussion for two hours be taken up in Parli-ament to debate all issues related to the bifurcation of the state and review the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. 

“The implementation of promises made in the Rajya Sabha by then PM Manmohan Singh, and the special economic package announced by finance minister Arun Jaitley in September 2016 should also be reviewed,” he said.

Mr Naidu directed the TD MPs to continue the din in Parliament “even if they get suspended”.

Mr. Naidu had earlier expressed its disappointment with the Central government stating that no funds were allotted for various projects in the state and also for the construction of AP’s capital.

On Mr Jaitley’s statement in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday over AP’s revenue deficit and assistance under externally-aided projects, Naidu asked, “What is this new formula for bridging the revenue deficit  now?” When no formula was applied to divide the state, why a new formula now to help the distressed state?” Mr Naidu asked.

He said reference to Nabard alone is not correct when assistance was sought from other agencies also.