Congress President comes out in support of Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday came out in support of the demand for the Special Category Status (SCS) for Andhra Pradesh. He joined the protest being staged by TDP and said that Congress supports the state’s claims.

“I’m very happy to be standing here with the people of Andhra. Our stance has been very clear…we are for Special Category Status of Andhra. The first thing we will do when we come to power in 2019, is give Special Category Status to Andhra. I’m confident that if we stand together, we will convince the government of India and Mr Narendra Modi that what is due to the people of Andhra Pradesh should be given to them once, (sic),” Rahul Gandhi said during his speech.

Other senior leaders of the Congress including Ghulam Nabi Azad and Raghuveera Reddy were seen accompanying the Congress president.

Earlier,  Rahul Gandhi said that Congress supports the “just demands” of Andhra Pradesh. The politician tweeted, “The Congress Party supports the just demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh for special category status and speedy completion of the Polavaram project It’s time for all parties to unite on this issue and support this call for justice. #INCStandsWithAndhra”.

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.