Andhra Pradesh CM meets PM Modi, raises issue of special status to state

Amidst the protest over the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, CM Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament on Friday.

The Andhra Pradesh CM office Twitter handle tweet read, "Had an elaborate meeting with Hon'ble Prime Minister on AP's concerns related to assurances mentioned in the AP Reorganisation Act: CM"

Sources close to CM told India Today that during the meet Naidu apprised the Prime Minister that the special category status was assured to Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation by his predecessor Manmohan Singh on the floor of the house. And during the 2014 general and state election both TDP and the BJP made it as a poll promise in there manifestos. The Andhra CM requested PM to implement all the assurances, in letter and spirit.

The State CM and PM also discussed the issued related to the development of the state including the Polavaram Project, Rayalseema region development package, clearances of universities and setting them up in a time-bound manner.

The CM also requested PM to support in building the People's Capital of Amaravati, the proposed capital city of Andhra Pradesh.

After the meeting The CM N. Chandrababu Naidu tweeted, "Hon'ble PM has responded positively & assured that promises will be fulfilled. Requested him to convert the assurances into action."

The Andhra CM was on a two-day visit to National Capital ahead of Krishna Pushkaralu festival (Maha Kumbh on the banks of River Krishna). During his visit, he invited President Pranab Mukherji, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and other dignitaries for the festival. He also Invited PM Narendra Modi for the event happening after a span of 12 years.

Also read: Andhra Pradesh special status: PM Modi fears Chandrababu Naidu, says TDP MP