ANANTAPUR: Rayalaseema is incensed by the Centre having denied special category status to the state and also special packages to the region, which it had assured it would at the time of the state's division two and a half years ago.
Anantapur MP J.C. Diwakar Reddy’s allegations against the Centre has sent a serious message to TD cadres, expressing disappointment against the BJP, its ally, for not listening to a series of representations that the state government had made.
After the MP stressed the need to opt out of the alliance with the NDA government, pro-Rayalaseema organisations became quite vocal about the state government not taking appropriate steps to settle issues at the time of the state’s division.
Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samiti founder Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy accused all parties in the Rajya Sabha of failing to expose centuries-old problems that had been endemic to the backward region. “We need special packages to establish industries and also for the irrigation and farming sectors. The state and central governments should concentrate on the development of backward districts,” he said.
IT minister Palle Raghunath Reddy demanded that the Centre accord a special package to the state. “We will not let the Centre overlook the assurances that it gave us. It should immediately announce packages for the state and the region,” he said, adding that the state government would fight for a genuine cause.
Rayalaseema Hakkula Vedika founder and TD Rajya Sabha member T.G. Venkatesh recalled that the Congress had cheated the people of AP by taking a decision hastily. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also assured us during his election campaign that he would grant special status to the state. Mr Naidu postponed his decision to quit from the NDA government after senior members asked him to wait for a few more months,” he recalled.
Congress activists burnt an effigy signifying the Central government at Penukonda, demanding special category status for the state.
