The Congress party on Thursday questioned will the new Bharatiya Janata Party-led government grant special status to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar, the primary demand of TDP and JD(U) for years, as support of both parties has become key for forming the National Democratic Alliance government at Centre.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in a video posted on X, posed four questions to the new prime minister-elect. “On 30 April 2014, in the holy city of Tirupati, you promised to give special status to Andhra Pradesh. Will that promise be fulfilled now?; Will you stop the privatization of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant now?; Will you fulfil your 2014 election promise and the ten-year-old demand of your ally Nitish Kumar by giving special state status to Bihar?; Do you promise to conduct caste census in the entire country like Bihar?” asked Ramesh.
Congress’s questionnaire comes as Bharatiya Janata Party leaders huddle in New Delhi regarding government formation. With the BJP falling short of the majority required to form government, support of Telugu Desam Party and JD(U) have become key for Narendra Modi’s third term. As per reports, TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, both have demanded key ministerial berths with the BJP, and the speaker post, for providing support.
It is rumoured that TDP is eyeing a Minister of State in finance, and three other cabinet berths in the new government. Naidu is also reportedly keen on getting support from the Centre for the development of Amaravati and special status for the state. The TDP-led alliance won 21 of 25 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the JD(U,) with 12 MPs is also rumoured to be keen on getting portfolios like railways, rural development and water resources. The party too is eyeing a Mos and three ministerial berths.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to take oath on June 9 evening.
