No government can possibly grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. Even if Rahul Gandhi becomes the Prime Minister, it cannot be a reality since other States will also ask for it, former MP Vundavalli Arun Kumar has said.
Implementation of SCS should have been insisted upon at the time of bifurcation itself as all the parties were bent on dividing the State, he said, adding that the claims of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the “unprecedented development” his government had achieved would also come in the way of fulfilling the demand.
Mr. Arun Kumar was speaking at the ‘Meet The Press’ organised by the Vizag Journalists’ Forum here on Friday. Charging that the ‘White Papers’ released were not factually correct and alleging massive corruption, Mr. Arun Kumar wanted a public debate on them.
“To lend authenticity, debates can be arranged between former IAS officers such as Ajeya Kallam and those heading various departments now without involving the politicians,” he said.
On his part, he was ready for a debate with any representative designated by the State government.
While the government claimed that industries worth ₹18 lakh crore would be set up following MoUs reached, it announced that units with ₹1.45 lakh crore were established. However, his enquiries in East Godavari district revealed that the claims did not match reality.
The promise being made by the Chief Minister that water from Polavaram project would be released in May was patently wrong as there would be no water in the river at that time, and, more importantly, the dam and reservoir were not constructed, he said, questioning the huge expenditure being incurred on taking people to the project site.
‘Corruption rampant’
There was corruption in the purchase of ‘Adarana’ implements, cellphones for employees, meal in Anna canteens and distribution of LED lamps, he alleged.
Replying to questions, Mr. Arun Kumar said the TDP-Congress alliance cost the latter in Telangana and, in Andhra Pradesh, it would damage the TDP.
The reported overtures to JSP president Pawan Kalyan by Mr. Naidu could be a means to weaken him, he observed.
The first invitation to fight against the Centre should go to YSRCP president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, the former MP said.
“Mr. Reddy’s padayatra has established him as a celebrity. It will the YSRCP,” he said, and added that he was not in a position to say whether it would be elected to power.
The row over utilisation certificates for Central funds should be put at rest by placing them in the public domain, he said.
VJF president Gantla Srinubabu and secretary Durga Rao were present.