Andhra Pradesh MPs continue to fight for Special Category Status

People’s representatives from Andhra Pradesh continued to rock the Parliament sessions on Tuesday. MPs of TDP and other parties ensured they kept exerting pressure by demanding the centre to fulfill the promises made to Andhra Pradesh during the state bifurcation in 2014.

Several TDP MPs including Galla Jayadev, Murali Mohan, Ram Mohan Naidu, and others, staged their protest at the Gandhi statue near Lok Sabha. The leaders held placards which said “Save Andhra Pradesh Save Democracy” and “Follow Alliance Dharma”. A few placards also sported the quotes “Save Andhra Pradesh” and “Keep Your Promises”. Interestingly, Naramalli Siva Prasad who had dressed up in different attires to stage unique protests earlier, dressed up as former Chief Minister N.T.Rama Rao on Tuesday.

The MPs reportedly issued adjournment notices to both the houses of the parliament and demanded that the centre should respond to the issue. Tuesday’s protests were a continuation of the previous day’s agitations. The MPs persisted with their fight after the talks with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley apparently failed.

Last month’s parliament sessions too were disrupted by the politicians from Andhra Pradesh who have been demanding the government to fulfill the promises made to the state in 2014.

In addition to demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, the state government had urged the centre to release funds for the purposes of Amaravati, Kadapa Steel Plant and a railway division for the stretch between Vijayawada and Guntakal.