WEB DESK
TELGU DESAM PARTY, TDP LEADER CHANDRA BABU NAIDU tonight announced his party decision to part ways with ‘NDA government’ saying that later govt at centre has not fulfilled the aspiration of Andhra Pradesh. He said that TDP ministers at centre would resign from government onThursday.
He however said that party will continue to support the NDA government from outside..
The decision was taken at a meeting with party lawmakers, hours after Finance Minister Arun Jaitley was seen to suggest that it would be difficult for the government to give Andhra “special status”. Mr Naidu said the two ministers will send in their resignations tomorrow morning as the centre had not kept its promises.
The Centre has been taking one sided decisions and our patience has run out now. When the purpose of joining the union cabinet hasn’t been fulfilled, it’s best to resign now.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
I tried reaching out to the Prime Minister to inform him about our decision. But sadly, he was unavailable.
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) March 7, 2018
EARLIER Addressing mediapersons on the demands of Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun jaitely clarified that the only variation is that after Finance Commission report instead of formally calling it a special category state, we are calling it a special package, which gives same monetary benefits that a special category state gives you.
He elaborated that the special status used to be originally granted to states in the North-East because they have their own resources that were inadequate.
Mr Jaitley said Centre is willing to give revenue to Andhra Pradesh in the ratio of 90:10 (90 per cent by Central Government and 10 per cent by State Government) for centrally sponsored scheme as the states with special category status are getting. Otherwise states are getting the revenue in the ratio of 60:40.
He added that Centre stands committed to it. The state has to tell us what manner it wants it in. At no stage has the Centre said that we will not give it.
He accepted that one of the promises was that Andhra Pradesh should be given special status. Provision for revenue deficit in case of Andhra Pradesh as per Finance Commission already made.
Mr Jaitley also accepted that Andhra Pradesh was unwilling and Telangana wanted the division. Andhra was suffering in terms of resources. Therefore some help had to be given to AP.
So one of the promises was, AP should be given special category status. At that time, special category state concept did exist. But, according to 14th Finance Commission there is no special category status now to be given.
On the issue of protest in the Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister said that political sentiment does not decide quantum of funds