Will Andhra Pradesh get special package equal to special status?

• Is the centre mulling a special  financial package like Bundelkhand to AP?
• Is NDA implementing different strategy in non-NDA states
• Centre’s proposed move is a hot topic in YSRCP circles in Pulivendula
• CM Jagan Mohan Reddy’s aides in Pulivendula confident about it

The news that AP will get an attractive special package equal to special status is going rounds in YSRCP circles in Pulivendula constitituency. One can find out the facts behind the news because it is being spread by confidants and close associates of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy in Pulivendula. Is there such a package to AP before elections? What is the necessity for BJP government to show such a soft corner towards Andhra Pradesh?

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagarn Mohan Reddy is a politician with special value as far as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NDA government are concerned. Why  Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amith Shah are giving a peculiar place to Jagan Mohan Reddy in the recent decisions. Interestingly, YSRCP is not reciprocating by giving more importance to the BJP in AP.

YSRCP is not an ally of BJP and the party had never given any space to BJP in AP. In political context, both parties are maintaining  as rival parties in the state as well as at the centre. The leaders of both the parties are criticising each other on various policies and welfare schemes of their respective governments. The recent decisions of NDA government sanctioning of funds worth of Rs 23,500 crore to AP as part of AP Reorganisation Act and funds to Polavaram Multi-Purpose Irrigation Project has come as a surprise to the political analysts.

D. Gopi, senior journalist in Vijayawada, said, “NDA is releasing pending financial dues – funds to Polavaram or relief package- keeping the importance of YSRCP in Rajya Sabha in mind. BJP needs the support of YSRCP to pass various  bills in Rajya Sabha. The attitude of Jagan Mohan Reddy towards NDA government has been impressive for them. Both Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are happy with it. Though Jagan set aside the proposal of BJP to join in NDA after Karnataka elections,  Modi and Shah are not antagonised. Jagan extended his support to various bills of NDA government before appeals from Union Ministers and CM never bargained something in lieu of supporting NDA government on the bills. NDA leaders started giving respect to Jagan’s style”.

In these circumstances, NDA is considering to agree to favourably respond to the appeals of Jagan Mohan Reddy for a special package equal to special status to AP. The NDA leaders gave him a status to Jagan with tag line of ‘Trusted Friend’ for having neutral political stand. According to NDA leaders, Jagan Mohan Reddy will come again to power in 2024 elections and his party will get impressive Lok Sabha seats. In this context, YSRCP support is needed to the NDA government.

NDA leaders understood the YSRCP political spirit and they decided to continue their good relationship with Jagan. BJP is following a different strategy in non-NDA states and AP is in its list. According to sources, the NDA government offered Bundelkhand type of relief package to AP and it will be ranging between Rs 30,000, crores and Rs 70,000 crores for the period of five years. CS Kulasekhara Reddy, a senior journalist from Kadapa, said, “YSRCP MP from Kadapa Y S Avinash Reddy himself told about the NDA government’s mulling of special package to AP while in a chitchat with the party leaders in Pulivendula. Each and every ruling party leader in Pulivendula is talking about this”.

AP Chief Minister will be in Delhi on July 6 to discuss about it. If all things remain normal, the YSRCP is expecting the first phase special package to be sanctioned within two months. (eom)