Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah on Friday telephoned Chief Minister and TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu to invite him for a discussion on the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and assurances given in Parliament.
A delegation, led by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y. S. Chowdary, will meet Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Mr. Shah and officials on March 5, the deadline fixed by Mr. Naidu for the Centre to announce a time-bound action plan for the implementation of the Reorganisation Act.
Mr. Shah’s telephone call assumes significance in the wake of the Telugu Desam Party’s decision to seek the support of all parties for its demand.
In spite of the BJP top brass offering an olive branch, the TDP, sources said, had decided to go ahead with plans to step up protests in Parliament.
“It will be a courtesy call. The TDP shall not compromise on Andhra Pradesh’s interests. The party will continue to mount pressure on the Centre until the issues raised by us are addressed to our satisfaction,” Mr. Naidu is learnt to have told his party colleagues.
Srikakulam MP Kinjarapu Ramamohan Naidu, Andhra Pradesh State Planning Board vice-chairman C. Kutumba Rao and officials will accompany Mr. Chowdary.
Mr. Rammohan Naidu and Mr. Kutumba Rao had met Mr. Shah on Thursday to discuss issues related to the State’s bifurcation. But, the Telugu Desam leaders were apparently not happy with the response.
“Yes, indeed we met Mr. Shah. But, the response was not very encouraging,” the MP said after the parliamentary party meeting during the day.
Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, addressing the TDPP meeting, said: “I never said that the Special Category Status was not required for A.P. We agreed to the special package as the Centre pleaded helplessness in extending the same citing technical reasons.”
The meeting decided to get ready for a showdown with the Centre on March 5 when Parliament meets after recess for the remainder of the budget session. The TDP president suggested that party MPs stall proceedings in Parliament in the interests of the State.
