Amid current bitterness between Centre and State, the BJP has handed over a golden opportunity to the Telugu Desam Party by including special status for Goa in its manifesto. Ahead of the Assembly and General elections in the state, this could come in handy as ammunition for the TDP which is looking for opportunities to hit back at BJP.
The inclusion of special category status for Goa in BJP’s manifesto for Lok Sabha elections has ticked off a fresh controversy. Andhra Pradesh has been demanding for Special Category Status which was promised in the Parliament by former PM Manmohan Singh before bifurcation. The Centre has been rejecting Special Status on the ground that it would provide a Special Package.
According to TDP sources, TDP Chief N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed all party leaders to take up the issue and expose BJP’s double-standards in denying Special Status for Andhra Pradesh. On the other hand, BJP had earlier alleged that NITI Aayog did not allow it, later they said that the state government agreed for Special Package and now, it has included it in BJP’s manifesto.
TDP leaders are now preparing to expose BJP’s discrimination against non-BJP ruled states. They say that this will also expose BJP’s political vendetta against TDP Chief and the people of Andhra Pradesh. “If Special Status can be given to Goa, then why not AP?,” they ask. Looks like BJP is going to face more heat in the state ahead of Assembly elections!
