TDP: Centre concerned only about immediate poll gains

Says Andhra Pradesh neglected in the Union Budget

Jayadev Galla. File

After days of protest against what they termed the neglect of Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) spoke out in the Lok Sabha accusing the BJP-led NDA government of injustice towards the newly formed State and only paying attention to immediate electoral gains rather than promises made to it.

Speaking during the debate over the Union Budget, TDP MP Jayadev Galla did not mince words in listing out the promises made under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act and how these remained only on paper.

He said that if promises were not fulfilled, the people of Andhra Pradesh would have “no option but to think that this is bad faith and reconsider carefully why we are in this relationship. If the people of A.P. gave zero seats to the Congress for bringing in the States Reorganisation Act, imagine how they will react to the BJP if the promises are not fulfilled.”

“There are 19 items in the A.P. reorganisation alone, promises for which are yet to fulfilled by the Centre. These include bridging the revenue deficit, financial assistance to the Polavaram project, a separate railway zone, providing funds for a separate capital at Amaravati, establishment of a greenfield crude oil refinery, establishment of a port at Nellore, apart from other assurances made to us,” Mr. Galla said.

Injustice to people

“Where are the provisions in the Budget to fulfil these promises made to us?” he asked.

“The government cannot take us for granted. Not mentioning any provisions for A.P. in this Budget is injustice and is deceiving the people of the State,” he said.