Weeks after pulling out two of its ministers from Narendra Modi government, N Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party today officially quit the NDA. Earlier this month, two TDP ministers - Ashok Gajapati Raju and Y S Chowdary - had resigned over the demand of Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.
Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh had promised Andhra Pradesh Special Category Status or SCS after the Centre had carved out a new state -Telangana. However, the current dispensation ruled out that possibility after 14th Finance Commission removed SCS concept.
TDP today issued a statement, saying that 'the party will also move a no-confidence motion against the Modi government over the injustice meted out to the state'. Later, TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha.
"We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said. The BJP have 274 members in the 536-member Lok Sabha and enjoys support of allies.
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11:32 am: Even if guided by political compulsion, TDP had to yet again follow YSR Congress Party's lead of moving no confidence motion against the central government for not granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy.
11:30 am: After 4 years of relentless struggle and fight by YSR Congress Party with people's support for Special Category Status; finally the nation, including N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP wakes up: YSR Congress Party President Jagan Mohan Reddy.
09:45 am: TDP MP Thota Narasimham moved a no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha. "We go according to principles. Our leader felt being part of NDA and moving a no-confidence motion would not be ethical. So we withdrew from the NDA and I have issued a letter on no-confidence motion to the speaker at 9.30 am," Narasimham said.
The development comes just a day after YSR Congress Party on Thursday announced that it would move no-confidence motion against the Central Government on Friday. In a tweet it said: "YSR Congress Party moves the No Confidence Motion against the Central Government. For the rights of the people of Andhra Pradesh, we will continue our fight for the Special Category Status."
The TDP will write a letter to BJP president Amit Shah and also other constituents of the NDA informing its decision and the reasons for it, the statement said.
While the demand for SCS has been on for a couple of years, the recent fallout began after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in a press conference earlier this month said that giving special category status to Andhra Pradesh was constitutionally not possible after the implementation of the 14th Finance Commission recommendation. However, the TDP was not convinced.
Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu accused the government of not honouring its promise. He said: "Arun Jaitley's statement was the last straw. They are apparently predetermined. They don't appear to help the state."