I told PM to implement all assurances given to Andhra Pradesh, says Chandrababu Naidu
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said he thanked the PM for what he had done for the state.
“I used the word ‘hand-holding’, which means help and support, Cheyutha in Telugu. This was for both the special package and Special Category Status. You watch my speech again, I turned to the Prime Minister and made the plea. I told him in English so that he understood my request. I urged him to implement all the assurances given on the floor of Parliament. Without belittling anyone, in simple language, I told the Prime Minister and he, too, responded positively.”
Mr Naidu said that the package was currently being studied by Niti Ayog. “I spoke to the Prime Minister recently and also contacted the chairman of Niti Ayog. It will give its report in another 15 days. After that we will know the exact quantum of help.
In fact the Reorganisation Act mentioned only Special Category Status but not Special Status. There is a difference. What I need is more and more funds for the capital and other districts and incentives to industries and help for backward regions,” Mr Naidu said.
He criticised the Opposition saying that those who divided the state and those who did not want a capital were casting aspersions on him. “In fact, several other things which were not mentioned in the Reorganisation Act were also extended to us.
They include a dredging project at Antarvedi, DRDO at Kurnool, missile-testing centre at Nagayalanka etc. Tell me where did I compromise? I will get the maximum funds and investments for the state.
“Amaravati is being marketed successfully and I am happy. Now, we have to move on to the next stage that is getting investments. Since Japan and Singapore have committed full support, some other industrialised nations will also participate in our state building and more investments may be expected,” he said.
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Naidu strongly rebutted the charges levelled against him by the Opposition that he had compromised with the state’s interests during the foundation ceremony of Amaravati.
“I could not spoil an otherwise festive occasion by raising an emotive issue with a strong pitch. On one side we had foreign guests and on the other side, we had the Chief Minister of Telangana and other ministers and dignitaries. I had to be extremely careful and exercise restraint. I had to be balanced in my speech. Even a minute disturbance would alter the course of the entire function and our efforts would go waste,” the Chief Minister said.
Cabinet rejig in the offing?
Mr Naidu also told the media that he would concentrate on administration hereafter, indicating that he might rejig the bureaucracy and the Cabinet.
He is likely to induct some new faces in the Cabinet and axe some non-performing ministers. He is also expected to overhaul the CMO as well, which has been pending since the Godavari Pushkaram.
