Vijayawada: The BJP and the TD extolling each other at Friday’s foundation-stone laying ceremony for the core capital, for which the master developer has not been selected, is sending its own signals.
Union finance minister Arun Jaitley did not even mention the revenue deficit of Rs 6,400 crore in six months against the Rs 4,600 crore for 2016 – 2017 fiscal year, the AP government quoted. Opposition has alleged foulplay in the utilisation of public funds at the cost of public interest.
Mr Jaitley, speaking on Rs 2 lakh-crore financial assistance to the AP government, instead of implementing the promises made in the AP Reorganisation Act, assurance on tax exemption on capital gains the first wish of the capital city farmers, and assurance on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s demand for legal backing over Special Assistance Measures, have become hot topic in the state.
“The foundation stone laying ceremony, where Mr Jaitley was present on Friday, sent a strong message to the public to come out of their assumptions on Special Category Status,” said Mr Chala-pathi Rao, a political analyst. He added that it is clearly observed that the outright denial of Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh betrays political benefits and understanding between the Union government and the state.
The Jansena and YSRC have been demanding SCS. He said the BJP was looking for long-term support from Mr Naidu. Leader of the Opposition in AP Council C. Ramachandraiah said, “TD has ignored the election promise of Special Category Status (SCS) to Andhra Pradesh for political benefits.”
He added that not a single project has come to Andhra Pradesh yet and the Union government has not cleared the revenue deficit-related aspects for fiscal year 2014-2015. He also criticised Mr Naidu for extolling the Union government instead of questioning it.
