Hyderabad: Amid the strong demand for special category status for Andhra Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said there were ample opportunities for development of the state which was given a special financial package two days ago.
Mr Modi made the remarks when a BJP delegation from the state met him to thank him for the special package. The delegation led by Visakhapatnam MP and party state unit president Kambhampati Haribabu and comprising the two BJP ministers in the AP Cabinet — Dr Kamineni Srinivas and P. Manikyala Rao — among others, conveyed to Mr Modi the criticism of the Centre by actor and Jana Sena chief Pawan Kalyan and by some TD for denial of special status.
According the BJP state leaders, Mr Modi, without referring to the criticism, said there were ample opportunities for Andhra Pradesh to grow to become the No. 1 state. It was for the BJP leaders to organise public meetings and explain to the people the benefits under the special assistance measure as well as from Central schemes.
Referring to his native state Gujarat, Mr Modi told them that till a few decades ago there was nothing except salt when then Prime Minister Morarji Desai started taking up developmental activities.
“Unlike Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh has many resources, I believe it will emerge as the No 1 state in the future. You should concentrate on the development of the state, only the sky is the limit,” Mr Modi told them.
