CPI Seeks Support For AP Bandh On August 11

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has called upon the people and the political parties of Andhra Pradesh to support the bandh call given by it for August 11, in support of the demand for special status to the state.

Two national secretaries of the party, K Narayana and D Raja, met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh in Parliament and submitted a memorandum pleading for grant of special status to Andhra Pradesh.

They said that the Home Minister had assured them that he would discuss the issue with all those concerned.

"We however feel that the Central government is playing a double game on this issue, because finance minister Arun Jaitly has given a statement to the contrary. So we are unable to believe that the Central government is planning to give special status to Andhra Pradesh," they said, and called upon the people and parties of the state to support the bandh.

In the memorandum, they said, "You are well aware of the fact that Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated in sessions when the Parliament's proceedings were in pandemonium and chaos. The then ruling party Congress, at present the main opposition party, and the present ruling party BJP, the then opposition party, had both committed to granting special status to the residual state of Andhra Pradesh.

"Though the name of Andhra Pradesh is old, the state is new. There is no infrastructure for a state capital, no buildings for various government offices, no adequate capital for government institutes etc. Income is limited.

"The people of Andhra Pradesh were compelled to agree to the bifurcation, and did so since both the major parties of the country had agreed for special status to the residuary state. But surprisingly, the present Union government is going back on its commitment to grant special status on the name of the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission. This is not fair, and should be reconsidered. We are sure that all political parties will also agree for it.

"All the piled up problems will not be solved with the mere sanction of some funds. Hence we request you to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh."