BRS, YSRC in war of words over Harish's AP has nothing remarks

HYDERABAD: A bitter war of words flared between the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh after finance minister T. Harish Rao's remarks about AP triggered a fresh round of spat between the two Telugu states.

Political observers see this as an attempt by the ruling BRS in Telangana to make inroads into AP, as well as a strategy to attack the YSRCP government in order to win 'anti-Jagan' votes from a significant chunk of Andhra voters residing in Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad and surrounding districts, at a time when Telangana Assembly elections are only six months away. The BRS which created a political storm with its attempts to bid for Vizag Steel Plant in AP three days ago, is now raking up the issue of “under-development” in AP  and holding ruling the YSRCP and opposition TDP for this.

It all started with Harish Rao urging AP voters residing in Telangana to cancel their votes in AP and register as voters in Telangana claiming that there is “nothing” in AP while Telangana has “everything” due to welfare schemes and development programmes being implemented by BRS government headed by Chief Minister K.Chandrashekar Rao. To this, AP minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao challenged Harish Rao to visit AP and see for himself the welfare schemes and development programmes being implemented by AP CM Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy.."After bifurcation of AP, Telangana got everything including capital Hyderabad city. But AP was formed without a capital Telangana was formed as a rich state. Despite financial constraints, our CM Jagan with his leadership and administrative skills has put AP on top on every front. The Telangana government failed to develop Hyderabad. A light rainfall is enough to flood the entire city. Just laying roads in Hyderabad is not development. Look at the condition of your roads in rural areas. CM Jagan's village/ward secretariat, Nadu-Nedu schemes etc are far superior to Telangana. opposition parties in Telangana are telling everyday how you have destroyed Telangana in the last nine years. Come to AP and visit any village or town. You will know what is there in AP,” Karumuri remarked. AP minister Botsa Satyanarayana took strong exception to Harish's remarks stating, "Who is Harish to talk about AP? It's better for him to focus on his state."

Lashing out at AP ministers, Harish Rao on Wednesday said, "Why are AP ministers agitated for asking what is there in AP? They are asking me what is there in Telangana? You come and see what is here? We have rabi crops in 56 lakh acres in Telangana. We have the Kalyana Laxmi scheme. We have 24x7 free power to agriculture. We have the KCR kit scheme, we have Rythu Bandhu to extend Rs 10,000 per acre per year, Rythu Bima to extend Rs 5 lakh free insurance to farmers, 26 government medical colleges to provide affordable medical education and treatment to the poor. We have the world's largest lift irrigation project Kaleshwaram, which was completed in three years. If I want to say what is in Telangana, the list is endless. I ask you what is in Andhra?"

Taking a dig at the YSRCP and TDP, Harish said, "What is there in AP? You have asked for special category status for AP then. Today, the Centre says there is no question of giving it special status. Despite this, you all kept mum. No one has dared to question the Centre on this. Centre is attempting to sell the Vizag Steel Plant. Neither the ruling party nor the opposition parties oppose or question the special category or Vizag Steel Plant issue. Another big joke is, today's opposition party (TDP) which was in power earlier and demanded special
status to AP, quit from the NDA government at the Centre after the Centre denied special status. Now the same party is running around BJP to join NDA again."