Withdraw from NDA, Jagan tells TDP

Thanking the people, left parties, various social and student organizations and party cardre for the success of the bandh, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded the TDP to withdraw its ministers from the Union Cabinet as the ire of the people has reflected in the massive response and asserted that the fight will continue relentlessly till the goal is achieved.

Speaking to media on Saturday, the Leader of Opposition has said:”the massive response to the bandh shows the mood of the people and TDP should withdraw its ministers from the Union Cabinet to mount pressure and being Special Status to the State.”

“Our fight will continue till the Special Status is achieved. The credibility of the Parliament is at stake if the assurance given by the former Prime Minster Dr Manmohan Singh is not honoured. It was the two major political parties, Congress and BJP, that had voted in favour of the division and both parties have agreed for the special status to the State to compensate the loss it suffers in lieu of Hyderabad.The issue was discussed in the Union Cabinet and was approved and this executive decision is not being implemented by the Centre and Chandrababu Naidu has never spoken on the issue so far,” he said.

“TDP has been fooling people by not categorically mentioning whether it is in favour of the special status or not. If it is opposing or if it is in favour of the special status and is allowing the ambiguity to continue. People have no ambiguity as they are concerned about their future and have shown their will on the day of Raksha Bandhan in one voice that Special Status is their right. Chandrababu Naidu goes to Delhi and meets Prime Minister and Finance Minister and never utters a word on the special status and nods his head when the issue of special package is broached. Special package is a fancy term to the total amount assured in the Reorganisation Act or what is due to the State rightfully and it is no favour. Unless the special category status is given there will be no development as the state cannot attract investments without incentives and unless industries come up there will be no jobs and no economic activity,” he said.

Government funds in form of grants will also be more if we get special status. An argument that there is nothing like a special status in the country does not stand as the Centre in a written reply to party MP YV Subba Reddy has said that Northeastern states are being given special category status, he said.

The State is blaming it on the 14^th Finance Commission though the special status does not come under its purview only to drag the time and the notion that package is better than special status is totally wrong, he said adding that National Development Council, of which the Prime Minister is the Chairman should take the decision on the special status. The decision on special status was already taken by the Cabinet headed by Dr Manmohan Singh, he said.

Despite Chandrababu Naidu trying his best to foil the bandh misusing his official machinery, the response has been very good and the Chief Minister stands exposed as he has cancelled his Delhi trip and monitored the bandh directing the officials to impose Section 144 in all districts. “However, the will of the people prevailed in the end. The fight will continue and we will take it up the issue in the ensuing assembly session,” he said.