Actor Sivaji has made an impassioned plea for a five-year special status to nascent Andhra Pradesh and urged the Assembly to make a resolution. He has urged leaders of all political parties to work together for the status.
While maintaining that he was in BJP, Mr. Sivaji, however, said he was organising the campaign for special status on his own. No local BJP leader was present.
Some of those among the audience countered him asking why he was not exerting pressure on the BJP leaders and the government. However, he remained firm on keeping the debate apolitical.
He said the tax breaks that would come with special status would bring down prices as transport tax would be reduced, improve chances for education and create more jobs as industries would come with lowering of taxes. Such a cushion would enable the state to face drought conditions better. With Andhra Pradesh paying hefty taxes because of gas supply to Gujarat and from ONGC, granting it a special status should not be a problem, he said.
While the division was effected in a tearing hurry, the special status now had to get the approval of NDC, Andhra University Professor Ratna Kumari said. she wanted a strategic and collective action to achieve special status.
UJF president M R N Varma wanted priority for north Andhra in special status but opposed any development that would affect tribal people, fishermen, and small farmers.
Physician Kutikuppala Surya Rao wanted an agitation to be launched.
