The stage is set for the crucial meeting of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Prime Minister’s Office has confirmed the Chief Minister’s appointment with Mr. Modi at 11 a.m. on Friday. Though the Chief Minister is said to be meeting the Prime Minister for formally inviting him to Krishna Pushkarams, slated to commence from August 12, he is likely to raise a host of issues pertaining to the State, particularly the promise of the special category status (SCS) made on the floor of Parliament at the time of the bifurcation two years ago.
Mr. Naidu, sources said, has prepared the ground to prevail upon Mr. Modi to work out modalities to grant SCS which has become an “emotional and sentimental issue” in the State.
He is likely to brief the Prime Minister about the fallout of Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s reply to the Rajya Sabha indirectly hinting at the Centre’s inability to grant SCS to the State.
The Chief Minister, who had taken a serious note of the manner in which Mr. Jaitley had responded to the much-awaited status, is expected to inform the Prime Minister that a sense of unrest is encompassing the State and this was not in the interests of the two alliance partners.
Other issuesThis apart, Mr. Naidu is said to have prepared a list of requirements of the State which the Centre had not yet fulfilled in spite of the assurances given in the A.P. Reorganisation Act and Parliament.
Liberal grant of funds for bridging the revenue gap and relaxation of norms of the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act are among the two major issues that are likely to figure in the discussions. The Chief Minister is expected to submit a representation asking the Centre to release funds for the Polavaram project and construction of the new capital.
Bifurcation of the Schedule IX, X and XIII institutions, railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters, special boards for management of Krishna and Godavari river water management, enhancement of seats in the Legislative Assembly and special development package are, among other issues, which are likely to figure in the deliberations.
TDP MPs to meet ModiThe TDP MPs would also meet the Prime Minister on Friday afternoon reiterating their request for early action into the demand for SCS to the State.
