The TDP and its ally, the BJP, are set to reiterate their diametrically opposite stands on the Central assistance to the State during the budget session of the State Legislative Assembly beginning on March 5.
This is against the backdrop of BJP national president Amit Shah’s reported invitation to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu towards the end of Friday’s TDP Parliamentary Board meeting, for yet another round of discussions in New Delhi on Monday.
Visakhapatnam North MLA and BJP Floor leader in the Assembly P. Vishnu Kumar Raju told the media after a party meeting in the port city on Saturday that the BJP decided to make candid statements on what had so far been done, and seek an explanation from the State government on various issues.
Coalition dharma
Speaking to The Hindu over phone, Mr. Vishnu Kumar Raju said his party would put facts before the people through the Assembly.
“We will follow the coalition dharma and maintain the dignity of the House,” he observed, while seeking to drive home the message that the BJP was committed to fulfilling all the assurances given to the State.
SCS demand
On the other hand, the TDP has also resolved to give its perspective on the Central assistance vis-a-vis the slew of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and the extent to which they have been actually funded by the Centre and what remains to be given to the State.
It has not toned down its demand that A.P. be given SCS on the premise that it has been extended to those already enjoying it.
The State initially agreed to a special package that Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had offered in lieu of the SCS after the Centre made it clear that it was impossible.
It is pertinent to mention here that YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has announced during his padayatra that the YSRCP would boycott the Assembly session in protest against the alleged inaction on the demand to disqualify the MLAs who had defected to the ruling party.
Pressure is mounting on the TDP from the opposition parties and civil society organisations to protect the State’s interests even at the cost of its relationship with the BJP.
