Centre denies Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. TDP likely to break ties with BJP

The latest turn of events seems to have pushed Telugu Desam Party (TDP) to its threshold. With the centre once again making it clear that Andhra Pradesh will not be given the Special Status Category, TDP looks set to break its ties with Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP). Reportedly, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu is likely to set the separation process rolling by making two of his party’s ministers- Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary- quit the Modi cabinet.

Not paying heed to the extensive protests spread across the state and centre, sources in Union Finance Ministry said on Tuesday that such decisions can’t be taken based on sentiments.They also made it clear that other demands, such as extending incentives to industries, can’t be met either. The sources, it has been learned, said other states and regions too will start demanding their respective pleas if Andhra Pradesh is given the Special Category Status.

The Telugu Desam Legislative Party meeting held on Tuesday saw more than 90% of the party members advocating to end ties with BJP. Speaking at the meeting, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said he was disappointed with the centre’s decision and reiterated his government will work for the cause of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He added that the centre must fulfill all the promises made to the state during the bifurcation in 2014.

Latest reports reveal that Mr. Naidu, in a teleconference party MPs on Wednesday morning, insisted that the centre must meet their demands.

The protests are likely to rock the parliament sessions for the third straight day. The first two days saw people’s representatives from Andhra Pradesh stage protests in an attempt to exert pressure on the centre. Congress President Rahul Gandhi too joined the agitation on Tuesday and said his party was in support of the SCS for Andhra Pradesh.