Fact Sheet: YSRCP, TDP clash after all-party meeting

Leaders of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Andhra Pradesh and the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) engaged in a heated exchange ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, which begins Monday and comprises 19 sittings till August 12.

Following an all-party meeting convened by the BJP-led central government, the YSRCP accused the TDP of neglecting the issue of special category status for Andhra Pradesh and compromising the interests of the state.

YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy criticised the TDP for its inaction on this crucial issue.

In response, the BJP’s ally TDP blamed the previous government of Jagan Mohan Reddy for the state’s financial woes. It announced plans to release a white paper detailing the state’s financial situation, which it said would be shocking.

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Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also commented on the TDP’s silence on special category status, pointing out that while the JD(U) and YSRCP were demanding special status for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh respectively, the TDP was remaining silent.

YSRCP Rajya Sabha leader Vijaisai Reddy highlighted eight issues raised by his party in the meeting, with special category status for Andhra Pradesh being the main demand.

He reiterated that this was a long-pending demand, promised by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Reddy accused the TDP of compromising the state’s interests by ignoring this issue.

Reddy also mentioned other issues like Andhra Pradesh’s share in the central tax pool, the need to meet population criteria for revenue sharing and opposition to privatisation of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

He alleged that there was breakdown of law and order in the state under the TDP regime, citing numerous attacks and killings, and called for President’s rule in Andhra Pradesh.

YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is planning to stage a dharna in Delhi on Tuesday against the TDP-led Andhra Pradesh government.

Meanwhile, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu briefed reporters on the issues raised by the TDP, including the need for adequate time in Parliament to discuss the concerns of Andhra Pradesh.

Devarayalu mentioned that the Andhra Pradesh government would soon release a white paper on the state’s finances, which he said would shock the public.

He also said the TDP would take up various issues in Parliament such as the Amravati capital region, opposition to privatisation of Visakhapatnam steel plant and the need for skill census.

Responding to the YSRCP allegations, Devarayalu stressed that the TDP was not focusing on just one or two issues but on a wide range of concerns.

He dismissed allegations of lawlessness under the TDP regime, saying the YSRCP was trying to divert attention from the state’s financial problems by avoiding the Assembly session.

Devarayalu assured that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu was giving priority to law and order and there was no problem of lawlessness in Andhra Pradesh.