Special Status to AP likely before June: Sujana Chowdary

Political parties in the Andhra Pradesh state may be assumed the special status issue as a powerful weapon to corner the ruling TDP and BJP governments rather than treating it as a mechanism that helps the state for a speedy industrial development. Hence, they are taking full advantage of this issue to strengthen and keep their parties intact, to win the hearts of the people and at the same time defame the TDP and BJP governments, by organizing dharnas and signature camps for it.

Obviously, it pushes the NDA government into defense position as it is unable to resolve the complications involved in this process. However, at the same time it is not admitting its inability to grant special status to the AP state, fearing it will further worsens its party situation in the state. According to Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu, the 14th Financial Commission is not agreeing to grant special status to the AP state, but he said government is trying to convince it.

Union Minister Sujana Chowdary has revealed some interesting information about this issue. He said, “Most probably, we may get full clarity on special status before end of June. Our government is striving hard to fulfill its promise made to the AP state in this regard.”

Hence, it is to be assumed that the Modi government might have convinced the 14th Finance Commission on this issue. However, it is mandatory to have the consent of Chief Ministers of all states in the country to grant special status to any state including the AP state. Tamilnadu, Odisha Chief Ministers wrote letters to the Centre asking it not to grant special status to the state as it may adversely affect the industrial growth in their states. So, even if the 14th Finance Commission agrees, the Modi government has to convince Chief Ministers of all states for this.

Hence, it is to be understood that the Modi government has set itself a deadline to resolve this issue till June end. In case if it fails to resolve this problem, then it may be preparing to boldly admit the same so as to prevent further damage to the BJP in the state and to clear the confusion about this issue. So, people of the AP state, who patiently waited for one full year have to wait one more month for it.