VIJAYAWADA: With Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) resolved to demand Special Category Status (SCS) for Bihar in its national executive meeting, all eyes turned to the TDP, which is the second largest party in the NDA next to the BJP, to see if it too will make a similar demand.
The TDP is optimistic that in case the Centre considers the demand of JD(U), it will grant the SCS first to Andhra Pradesh as it was promised to the State on the floor of the House at the time of State bifurcation 10 years ago, sources said.
SCS in Andhra Pradesh has remained a burning topic since the bifurcation of the State in 2014. In 2018, the issue was also the reason for the TDP coming out of the NDA. However, the TDP rejoined the NDA before the 2024 elections, and has not broached the subject since forming the government both at the Centre and in the State.
In fact, it has to be noted here that the issue of SCS has not figured prominently during the TDP and its allies election campaign. Though TDP supremo and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu shared dais with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and senior BJP leaders in several meetings, the issue of SCS was not mentioned.
Sources in the TDP say that though they are not raising the SCS, their efforts will continue to get aid from the Centre equal to the SCS in other formats. “Whether it may be the SCS or the special package or in any other format, all we want is that AP should get its due share of funds from the Centre,” a TDP leader said.
Stating that the support of the TDP to the BJP-led NDA government is unconditional, another leader told TNIE that they can understand the limitations of the Centre in granting SCS in the wake of the suggestion made by Niti Aayog. “Thus, we do not want to mount pressure on the Centre on the SCS issue. But, our efforts will continue to get all the needed support to the State from the Centre,” he added.
‘AP should get its due share of funds from Centre’
Sources in the TDP say that though they are not raising the SCS, their efforts will continue to get aid from the Centre equal to the SCS in other formats. “Whether it may be the SCS or the special package or in any other format, all we want is that Andhra Pradesh should get its due share of funds from the Centre,” a TDP leader said.
Boundaries of Amaravati Govt Complex
North: From D. No 96(P) of Rayapudi, extending east through various parcels, including 95(P), 103(P), 73(P), and 78(P), ending at D.No. 81(P) of Rayapudi
East: From D.No 81(P) of Rayapudi, running south through D.No. 91(P), 89(P), and various parcels in Lingayapalem and Kondamarajupalem, concluding at D.No. 144(P) of Sakhamuru
South: From D.No. 144(P) of Sakhamuru, running west through D.No 145(P), 147(P), and 158(P) of Sakhamuru, continuing south and then west through multiple parcels, ending at D.No 153(P) of Sakhamuru
West: From D.No 153(P) of Sakhamuru, running north through multiple parcels in Nelapadu and Kondamarajupalem, concluding at D.No 96(P) of Rayapudi