Rebuilding Andhra a difficult task, we will do it step by step: Chandrababu Naidu

“Rebuilding Andhra Pradesh is a difficult task. But we will do it step by step,” he said. Naidu, however, did not speak of Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, a demand which YSR Congress Party has been raising in the Rajya Sabha.

The Telugu Desam Party chief, who came back to power with a thumping majority in Andhra Pradesh this year, also has the leverage of 16 MPs by his side to get the financial packages for the state. The TDP is a part of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

On his visit to Delhi that started on July 3, Naidu had held meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other senior ministers of the Union cabinet. In these meetings he had submitted a list of demands seeking support for development projects in Andhra Pradesh.

The Andhra CM sought Union government’s support in commissioning Polavaram national irrigation project and “special incentives” for industrial development. Naidu also asked for “additional allocation” under the scheme for special assistance to states for capital investment in essential sectors such as roads, bridges, irrigation and drinking water projects. He also sought aid in developing Amaravati as the state’s capital.

The CM also sought support for backward regions of his state on the lines of Bundelkhand package. He asked for support in the development of Duggirajupatnam port.

On issues of national importance, including election of the Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha, Naidu said that the NDA will take a decision based on discussion among all the allies. So far, there is no structure for the NDA, even though all partners are equally important, he said.

Accusing the YSR Congress Party government under Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy of “demolishing and destroying the economy” of AP, Naidu said that his government is taking stock of the debt the state has acquired over the last five years. The state government is expected to table a white paper on the financial status of the state on July 18. Two months from now, the state will also present a Budget for the next six months.