Rajnath Singh silent on Andhra Pradesh status

New Delhi: Assuring Parliament that the Modi government will fulfil all promises made to the people of the state—both by the previous UPA government and the current NDA government, Union home minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday, however, refrained from answering a “specific question” on whether or not the government will grant a special category status to Andhra Pradesh. Instead, the minister asserted that the Centre was providing more assistance to the state than what it would have got under that status.

Replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on non-implementation of provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, Mr Singh assured members that all promises made to the people of the state would be fulfilled. He also said that 90 per cent of promises made under the Act, which had led to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in 2014, have already been fulfilled.

“Whatever commitments which have been given, not only by our Prime Minister but even the commitments made by former prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh, our government will fulfill those commitments," said Mr Singh.

 The minister's statement came after Manmohan Singh said he had expected his successor Narendra Modi to fulfil the UPA government's commitment on special category status to Andhra Pradesh as it was a promise made after consulting the BJP leaders at that time. The TDP and other opposition parties also asked the Centre to honour its assurances in letter and spirit by granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The  BJP accused the state's ruling party of “misleading” its own people.

 TDP's Y.S. Chowdary, said the “hasty and unscientifically prepared and politically motivated decision of the undivided Andhra Pradesh” had caused agony to the people. Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad asked whether the Centre would be giving special category status.