People of A.P. only want the commitments to be met, says Ashok Gajapathi Raju

As a State which was divided unscientifically, leaving us at a disadvantage is not correct, says the senior TDP leader.

New Delhi: TDP leader and Union Minister of Civil Aviation Ashok Gajapathi Raju at his party office in Parliament during the second phase of budget session in New Delhi, on Thursday. TDP leader YS Chowdary on Thursday said he and his colleague Ashok Gajapathi Raju were stepping down as ministers but would continue to be part of the NDA. PTI Photo by Manvender Vashist (PTI3_8_2018_000061A)

Hours before Civil Aviation Minister and senior TDP leader Ashok Gajapathi Raju tendered his resignation, he spoke to The Hindu on the reasons for the TDP’s decision and chances of reconciliation.

Why has the TDP decided to pull out its Ministers from the NDA government?

In the words of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, in the “residual State of Andhra Pradesh,” people didn’t want to be treated as residue material. There were certain assurances and certain promises given in the House. Then the UPA government made some commitments. Certain commitments were given by the BJP government too. People want those commitments to be met. This is where the whole problem is. In fact, where did the commitment come from? In Rajya Sabha, it was Jaitley

ji and Venkaiah

ji , on behalf of the BJP, who asked for it. These were the commitments of then Prime Minister. Farmers have sacrificed 33,000 acres of land for making the capital Amaravati. When people sacrifice, they expect certain commitments to be met. Why we are leaving, what are we leaving for should be clear.

You have sought an appointment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Is there any chance of sorting out the issues?

We will not be discussing the problem with the Prime Minister. It [The appointment] is only to hand over our resignations and thank him for allowing us to work in his team.

Are there any chances of reconciliation?

I won’t rule out or rule in that. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work. 

Was Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s press conference on Wednesday evening the tipping point for this decision?

It is not for me to speculate. Our party has given us the directions. We had been part of NDA earlier, we are still part of NDA and even after resigning from the ministry we will continue to be part of NDA. It is for the leaders to decide and they will decide.

Is the TDP claiming that in the last three-and-a-half years, the BJP did not give anything to the State of Andhra Pradesh?

It is wrong to say that they did not give anything. Development is going on normally. But as a State which was divided unscientifically, leaving us at a disadvantage is not correct.

Are you convinced of Mr. Jaitley’s argument that it is 14th Finance Commission that stops the government from giving Special Status to Andhra Pradesh?

The 14th Finance Commission has given its report. It is a document available in public domain. There is nothing to get convinced there. It is about devolution of funds to the States. After all, the founding fathers thought all fresh taxes should come to the union and get divided. It (the Reorganisation Act) is a commitment made in Parliament. They should honour it.

Do you feel people of Andhra Pradesh were cheated by the BJP government?

You see, that is a very strong language. That is not the question. The question is Andhra Pradesh is part of India, much less the residual State of Andhra is also part of India.

People of the State do not want to be treated as residue. So what do you do?