'TDP should press for spl. status'

Hyderabad, YSR Congress has demanded the TDP government to mount pressure on the Centre to expedite the provisions made in the State Reorganisation Act in the interest of the people. “Though Chandrababu Naidu has been expressing dissatisfaction on various issues, he has never taken any firm step to persuade the Centre on core issues like special status, allotment of funds and the like,” party spokesperson Bathula Brahmananda Reddy told reporters here on Wednesday.

When the Union cabinet takes a decision two TDP ministers are part of it and Chandrababu Naidu expressing dissent is ridiculous. From the raw deal in the Finance Commission to the recent budget allocation, he has been expressing disappointment but has never been assertive despite being a coalition partner.

“We demand that he should be pushy in safeguarding the interests of the people of the State and YSRCP will be supportive on the issue,” he said.

Many issues mentioned in the State Reorganisation Act were not honoured and the Chief Minister raises no objection which is against the interest of the State. It was mentioned in the Act that within six months of the division of the State, the feasibility of a steel plant at YSR Kadapa Dt, considering a Greenfield crude oil petro chemical complex, exploring the possibility of setting up an industrial corridor between Vizag and Chennai on the lines of Delhi-Mumbai corridor and upgrading the airports at Vizag, Vijayawada and Tirupati along with the special status for the new State will be considered.

“Till now nothing has come up and the State did not even remind the Centre of the provisions. It is high time that the State takes up the issue with the Centre to justify its part as a coalition partner,” he said.