The Congress party on Sunday slammed the BJP-led Union government and demanded that it should show real commitment to Andhra Pradesh by granting the state special category status.
Congress secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh committed to give Andhra Pradesh special status for five years. “In the last week, the Prime Minister has inaugurated an AIIMS at Mangalgiri and an IIT at Tirupati. Both of these institutions were commitments made by the Manmohan Singh Government in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014. Of course, Mr. Modi is now claiming credit.”
Ramesh said the BJP government should demonstrate real commitment to Andhra Pradesh by strengthening its financial position. “Real commitment to Andhra Pradesh would be demonstrated if the Prime Minister were to give the state Special Category Status, to strengthen its financial position, as committed to by Dr. Manmohan Singh on the floor of the Rajya Sabha on February 20th, 2014. Dr Manmohan Singh had committed to this Special Status for a period of five years, and then BJP front-bencher M. Venkaiah Naidu had got up and declared - “[W]hy only five years? BJP government will give for 10 years.” Both Mr. Naidu and Mr. Modi have a lot to answer for.”
The Congress leader’s comments as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to dedicate AIIMS, Mangalgiri on Sunday.
