File Photo: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu
Opposition YSR Congress today alleged that Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is "mum" about special status to the state as he is playing into the hands of the Centre to "save his skin".
"Though Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh stated (in Parliament) that the question of special status does not arise, the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government maintains a stoic silence. Since the issue is in the interest of the people of the state, we will take it up and fight," YSR Congress spokesperson Vasireddy Padma said in a release issued in Hyderabad.
Recalling the debate on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill during the previous UPA rule, Ms Padma claimed that BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu had sought special status for the state for 10 years and the TDP had gone a step further and demanded special status for 15 years.
However, after the NDA coalition government came to power, BJP leaders categorically stated that the question of special status does not arise, he said.
"There is no reaction from the TDP and Chandrababu Naidu has soft pedaled the issue claiming that the statement does not apply to Andhra Pradesh," the YSR Congress leader said.
"Special status is our right which will pave way for development of Andhra Pradesh and Chandrababu Naidu is playing it down to save his skin in various cases, right from the cash-for-vote to the Godavari Puskhar tragedy," Ms Padma said.
"It's only a compromise to cover up his irregularities that he (Naidu) is playing into the hands of the Centre; but we will be unrelenting in our fight for special status," she added.