Congress party leader YS Sharmila questioned Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s silence on the demand for special category status for the state.
Drawing a parallel with Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar’s persistent demand for the same status for Bihar from the Narendra Modi led NDA government, Sharmila demanded an explanation from Naidu.
Speaking at a press conference in Vijayawada, Sharmila highlighted the plight of Andhra Pradesh, which, lacks a capital and lags in development.
“Why is Chandrababu, who played a crucial role in the formation of the Modi government, not advocating for Andhra Pradesh’s special status?” she asked.
Reminding Naidu of his earlier advocacy, she recalled his statements about Andhra Pradesh being 20 years behind in development and his previous demands for a special status to spur growth.
Sharmila further criticized Naidu for not leveraging his political influence to secure the status, questioning his hesitation to withdraw support from the NDA government if the demand is not met.
She accused Naidu of failing to hold Prime Minister Modi accountable for the unmet promises to Andhra Pradesh. Demanding clarity on his position, Sharmila urged Chandrababu to pass a resolution in the State assembly to demand special category status from the Central government.
Emphasizing that special status, rather than special packages, is crucial for the State’s development, she called on the people of Andhra Pradesh to seek accountability from their Chief Minister. The Andhra Pradesh Congress Party has reiterated its stance, emphasizing that securing special category status is essential for the State’s progress and development.