Most Special Status States To Lose Title Soon: BJP

In an indirect reference to Janasena President Pawan Kalyan's demand of Special Status to Andhra Pradesh, former Union Minister and BJP leader Purandeswari said that on the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, Special Status accorded to the States (since March) that do not match the criteria would be withdrawn.

Speaking to the media at Tanku in the West Godavari district, she asserted that the Centre's special package for Andhra Pradesh offered all the benefits of Special Status and much more.

The responsibility of constructing the national Polavaram project lied on the Union government and the entire expenditure would be borne by it, the BJP leader affirmed, responding to another of Pawan Kalyan's arguments.

She claimed that all the benefits being given under Special Status would be stopped now, as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission. In such situations, the demand for Special Status is unreasonable and unfeasible, Purandeswari said.

Condemning Kalyan's statements against Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu, she said that Venkaiah Naidu was trying to get all the benefits to Andhra Pradesh.

Speaking later, another BJP leader called Pawan Kalyan his "best friend", and said that Kalyan was being misguided on the issue. The Jana Sena President made the statements as he misunderstood the situation, he said, attempting to justify the Jana Sena leader's claims.