Bharatiya Janata Party in Andhra Pradesh, which is keen on winning the by-elections to Tirupati parliamentary seat by hook or crook, has landed in deep trouble with the party’s central leadership promising special category status to Puducherry, a Union Territory, going to polls on April 17.
In its election manifesto for Puducherry elections, the BJP promised to accord 'special Union territory' status to increase devolution of funds from 25 percent to 40 percent as was done in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure development.
It also promised to revise cost sharing of projects under centrally sponsored schemes in the ratio of 70 percent by the central government and 30 percent by the UT government in place of the current 30:70 formula.
Now, this has come as a weapon particularly to the BJP’s rivals in Andhra Pradesh.
While the YSR Congress party has so far not reacted on this, the Telugu Desam Party and the Congress lashed out at the BJP in Andhra Pradesh for keeping silent on the issue.
“Three years ago, the Centre said the special category status to AP or any other state not possible as per the recommendation of the 14th finance commission. Recently, it said the special category status is a closed chapter. But now, Union finance minister announces special status to Puducherry. What’s the response of BJP leaders in Andhra?” asked senior TDP leader and MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary.
Congress Andhra unit president S Sailajanath wondered why the BJP in Andhra remained silent when their central leadership promised special status to Puducherry.
“Has the BJP forgotten the same status to AP? What is Pawan Kalyan doing when the BJP threw rotten laddus to AP?” he asked.
