The demand for special category status dominated the political discourse during the week that ended with the Congress vehemently condemning the BJP-TDP combine, which shares powers both at the Centre and the State, for leaving Navya Andhra in the lurch. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu bore the brunt of the attack, with former Union Minister Panabaka Lakshmi taking potshots at the senior BJP leader for stating that only hilly States and not Andhra Pradesh qualified for the status. “After pressing for incentives and concessions for 10 years, instead of five years suggested by the Congress before the elections, Mr. Naidu is doing a disservice to the State with his somersault now,” she alleged.
The dire need for a special package for Prakasam district, which was formed by merging the most backward parts of Kurnool from Rayalaseema and Guntur and Nellore from coastal Andhra was also highlighted by leaders cutting across party lines.
TDP leaders a confused lot
TDP leaders were left a confused lot after the recent selection of MLC nominees. The names of party district president Beeda Ravichandra Yadav, senior leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy and Nellore city unit president Kotamreddy Srinivasulu Reddy figured on the list of probables in the beginning. Gradually, unconfirmed reports came out, suggesting that Ravichandra Yadav had been selected for the post from Nellore district. However, it was also changed at the last minute, with the party president not selecting anybody. It is said a chance would be given to one of the Nellore district leaders in the next phase.
With inputs S. Murali in Ongole and G. Ravikiran in Nellore
