PM Should Confirm AP Special Status: YSR Congress

Expressing concern over reports that the Planning Commission was not in favour of a special package for the state of Andhra Pradesh, the YSR Congress Party sought a statement from the Prime Minister, to allay fears.

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad on Saturday, YSR Congress Parliamentary Party leader Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy said, "The people of the State are a worried lot. We have asked, in the Parliament, for special status for the Andhra Pradesh state for 20 years, as we have to start from scratch. Earlier, the issue had been discussed at length on the floor of the House. The BJP leaders in the Rajya Sabha, Arun Jaitley and Venkatiah Naidu, were vociferous about it, and the Prime Minister had given an assurance to allot 10 years special status to AP, which should be honoured now."

Mekapati said that the new state was in a quandary on various issues including the capital city and funds for development, and the negative news on special status is giving rise to many apprehensions.

"I request the Prime Minister to give a categorical statement on the issue to put the apprehensions at rest and to allay fears," he said, adding that a letter had been faxed to the Prime Minister, requesting him to honour his commitment on the special status issue. (INN)