Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, in a press conference on Wednesday night, expressed anguish over the denial of special status to the state. (Express Photo/Nirmal Harindran/File)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday targeted the BJP government at the Centre for behaving as “callously” as the Congress government did during bifurcation in 2014. Addressing the budget session of the state legislative Assembly, Naidu added that regional parties have to take tough decisions to protect their interests.
In the wake of Telugu Desam Party’s decision to pull out of the government, two BJP ministers resigned from Naidu’s Cabinet this morning. Kamineni Srinivas, Health and Medical Education minister, and P Manikyala Rao, Endowments Minister, tendered their resignations to the Chief Minister this morning, ahead of the start of the state Budget session.
Read | TDP walks out of Govt: Why the fallout poses a challenge to BJP’s numbers count for 2019
The TDP has asked its MPs who are Union Ministers — P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y Satyanarayana Chowdary — to resign from the Union Cabinet. Late Wednesday evening, Naidu, in a press conference, expressed anguish over the denial of special status to the state and questioned the “humiliation and injustice” by the Centre. Naidu added that the party would take a decision on staying in the NDA at a later point in time.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar claimed that YSR Congress and other parties building "political pressure" with "false propaganda" on the issue, which may have forced the CM to take such a step. "The TDP has demanded special status. We are discussing with them....Unfortunately, YSR Congress and other parties are indulging in all sorts of false propaganda, spoiling the political atmosphere in the state and putting pressure on Chandrababu Naidu," Kumar told reporters, as quoted by PTI.
The TDP's decision to exit the NDA government at the Centre is a "classic case of opportunistic politics" by its president and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, Telangana BJP leader Krishna Saagar Rao said. News agency PTI quoted Rao as saying, "BJP considers it as a classic case of opportunistic politics by Chandrababu Naidu. It's also politics of convenience."
In broad hints several times over the last few days, the Andhra Pradesh CM has underlined his seniority and vast experience in politics. “I am the senior most political leader in the country in contemporary politics. I have been in politics for more than 40 years and have vast experience,” the 66-year-old CM has said several times. Addressing the state legislative Assembly today, he said regional parties have to take tough decisions to protect their interests. He reminded members that parties can play a critical role in bringing together like-minded parties.
CM Naidu and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley agree that Andhra Pradesh has suffered financially since bifurcation. Yet, the Centre is unwilling to grant the state a Special Category Status tag. Why? Bifurcation took place in 2014, before the 14th Finance Commission recommendations were accepted, under which the “special status” categorisation was removed.
Jaitley, speaking to the media yesterday, said that 'special status' is now restricted only to the northeastern and three hilly states. Read more here.
C M Ramesh, MP and vice-president of Telugu Desam Party, demands Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh outside Parliament. (Express Photo/Praveen Jain)
Reacting to developments, Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao, also the Telangana CM's son, says the country is not about Congress or BJP. "It's not a toss up between Congress or BJP. There is a strong chance of emergence a strong third front. There is still one year to go for elections... wait and see what emerges," he said.
Members from the Telugu Desam Party may meet the Prime Minister at 4 pm this afternoon. Stay tuned for more updates!
In the House, Naidu added that the BJP is behaving as callously as the Congress did during bifurcation in 2014. He added that regional political parties have to take tough decisions to protect their interests. Naidu also said regional parties can play a critical role in bringing together like-minded parties from across the country.
Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu, adderssing the state budget session with commenced today, says BJP ministers from him Cabinet have resigned. "These ministers worked good in the state. They brought considerable reforms in their departments. I thank them for their services," he is quoted as saying by ANI.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale says, "It is not good that TDP has decided to breakaway from NDA. I want to appeal to Andhra CM that he must think over this decision once again. Whenever you seek time from PM Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah, they meet. If all states demand special status it would become very difficult for the government," reports ANI.
Continuing their protest amid the ongoing budget session, TDP members are holding placards outside Parliament. The placards read'keep your promises' and 'we demand special status for Andhra Pradesh'.
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu took to Twitter last night to say, "It's a crucial time. We have to stand, we have to fight, we have to get it done." What is he talking about? Since the Union Budget was presented, leaders of the TDP and the BJP have undergone a war of words over central assistance to Andhra Pradesh. The state wants the Centre to compensate for its losses after it was bifurcated in 2014. Second, the state seeks special category status, which the Centre has ruled out. Instead, it has offered 90:10 funding for all centrally sponsored schemes.
Express Explained | ‘Broken promise’, funds crunch: Why Andhra CM is angry
Two BJP ministers tendered their resignations to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu this morning. Kamineni Srinivas, Health and Medical Education minister and P Manikyala Rao, Endowments Minister, said their decision was in the wake of TDP asking its ministers to resign from the Union Cabinet. Click here for full report.
Minister of State (Science and Technology and Earth Sciences) Y Satyanarayana Chowdary, before resigning, says, "It is not a good move but unfortunately due to unavoidable circumstances we're stepping down as ministers. Our (party) president said that we will continue to be a partner of NDA. We are most likely to meet PM also," reports ANI.
Following the Andhra CM's announcement yesterday, sources in the BJP told The Indian Express that its ministers in the Naidu government may withdraw as well. “It becomes untenable for our ministers to continue in the Chandrababu government in the state,” a senior BJP leader said.
What is the significance of TDP's decision to walk out of the government? Firstly, it dampens the BJP's celebrations over its recent electoral gains in Tripura, Nagaland and Meghalaya. Second, it raises a question over NDA's poll fortune in Andhra Pradesh — which sends 25 members to Lok Sabha. Third, it holds considerable significance for the 2019 General Elections.
Click here for to know how the fallout poses a challenge to BJP’s numbers count for 2019.
The TDP on Wednesday announced it would pull out of the BJP-led government at the Centre. TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu held a press conference last night, hours after Union Minsiter Arun Jaitley ruled out "special status" to the state. Calling the Centre’s attitude “very hurtful and insulting”, Naidu said the party hadn't taken a decision about staying in the NDA government. Follow our live blog for the latest news and updates.