Hyderabad: CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said that it was the responsibility of the Centre to immediately grant Special Category Status to AP as promised and also liberal grant of funds for the overall development of the since it has suffered loss on account of bifurcation.
Mr Yechury was participating in a round table conference organised by Andhra Intellectuals Forum in New Delhi on Sunday, a day ahead of the mass dharna programme planned at Jantar Mantar.
The CPM veteran leader said he was present when the bifurcation Bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha and recalled promise of granting special status to AP made by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh.
“The same people who were there in Rajya Sabha and who demanded the special status are now very much in power at the Centre. It’s most unfortunate they have forgotten their own demands and are now putting off granting special status one pretext or the other,” Mr Yechury said.
CPI central secretariat member and MP D. Raja said that besides failing to fulfill its promises, the Centre was also delaying executing construction of the Polavaram dam. He agreed to raise issues concerning AP in the Rajya Sabha, including moving an adjournment motion.
Leaders from Andhra Intellectual Forum, led by Chalasani Srinivas said it was the responsibility of all political parties in the state to be united in raising AP’s concerns in Parliament, otherwise Centre may continue its indifferent attitude.
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