Chandrababu brings in Slip of Tongue'' theory

A day after he drew zilch on the issue of special status to Andhra Pradesh, a defensive Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said that he wanted to raise the issue of special status to the state during the launch of Amaravathi works, but by a slip of tongue said of special package.

The slip of tongue argument came about after there was widespread disenchantment against PM Narendra Modi not uttering a single word about special status. Chandrababu told mediapersons on Friday at Vijayawada that he made special request to the Prime Minister and the latter had told him that the issue was referred to the Niti Ayog. He further said that even he had raised the issue at the Niti Ayog.
Modi however was categorical that all the aspects mentioned in the AP Bifurcation Bill would be implemented both in letter and spirit. Interestingly, special status has not been mentioned in the bill, but an assurance to this effect was made by no less a person than the then PM.