MPs from AP, Telangana accuse govt of going back on promises

Raising the issue, Reddy said both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are in a “financial crisis” as even after passage of nine months since the NDA government came to power, it has not fulfilled the promises made by the previous government for developing the regions and providing financial assistance to them. “Either God or GoI (government of India) should help Andhra Pradesh,” he quipped.

Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said the members from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have every reason to agitiate on this issue. He said no less than the Prime Minister of India had said during his election campaign that whatever amount was committed by the government of India, will be given and measures passed by Parliament will be honoured. “But nine months have passed and there is no mention of it in the President’s address,” he said.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi tried to calm the situation by assuring members that the NDA government is committed to do everything for developing and strengthening the two states and that the Finance Minister has categorically said this in his Budget speech. However, this did not satisfy the members.

As tempers ran high in the House over the issue, BJP’s Tarun Vijay said that “only anger and chaos are now the way to express one’s views in the House.” He went on to say more, which could not be heard because of din created by the opposition which strongly objected to his remarks.

Opposition members alleged that Vijay had used the word “nuisance” and took strong objection to it.

Kurien said if he had used the word, he should withdraw it. He added that the word will be expunged also. The BJP member then withdrew it after which normalcy returned to the House.