With Andhra Pradesh MPs agitating over the demand for special status for their state, Trinamool and BJD leaders joined hands to corner the government by seeking a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the is
With Andhra Pradesh MPs agitating over the demand for special status for their state, Trinamool and BJD leaders joined hands to corner the government by seeking a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the issue of cooperative federalism. Lok Sabha speaker Sumitra Mahajan assured to take up the issue on Wednesday. Later, finance minister Arun Jaitley assured the Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh that the government is looking into their demand for the special category status for the state.
While the TDP MPs displayed placards and protested for the special category status, the TRS members too trooped into the Well of the House seeking financial assistance from the Centre for the development of Telangana.
Amidst the protests, TMC leader Sudeep Bandyopadhyay intervened to suggest that a brief discussion be held on the issue of co-operative federalism as a way out. “We have spoken to the TDP MPs and the members of the TRS will also agree that the House should discuss the issue of co-operative federalism. This will end the slogan shouting in the House,” said Mr Bandyopadhyay.
With the TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee having last week held deliberations with her Bihar and Delhi counterparts Mr Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal respectively on the issue of the “Centre not adhering to the spirit of co-operative federalism”, Mr Bandyopadhyay sought to put the Narendra Modi government in a corner. The TMC got support of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) too on the issue of a discussion on co-operative federalism. The TDP, which is an NDA ally, is showing signs of frustration in the House, with the Centre not granting the special category status to Andhra Pradesh. The Congress leader in the House Mallikarjuna Kharge too supported the TMC move and sought an early discussion.
The Speaker Sumitra Mahajan after two adjournments in the House said that the business advisory committee would meet on Wednesday and decide on holding a discussion.
Meanwhile, Mr Jaitley assured Lok Sabha members from Andhra Pradesh that the government is looking at their demand for the special category status for the state. “Some members have concerns over particular issues. Government stands by its commitment. We are trying to find a solution to these issues,” he said during an intervention amidst slogan-shouting by the TDP MPs.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar too stated that the Finance Minister has given the assurance on the floor of the House. “The demands of Andhra Pradesh is under consideration. I request my friends to take the assurance of the Finance Minister and resume the business,” he said.
