Will Narendra Modi do a Bihar in Andhra Pradesh?

The prime minister would spend about 90 minutes at the event during which he will perform the “shila nyas” for the capital city, about 40kms from Vijayawada, the commercial capital of Andhra Pradesh. Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury drew Modi’s attention to the assurances made by the central government when the Andhra Pradesh bifurcation Bill was passed in parliament.

Naidu visited the place, where the foundation stone would be laid and reviewed the arrangements made with ministers and senior officials stating that there could be a few rumour- mongers out to create a few trouble during the function, he appealed to the people to remain alert and not be carried away by any such thing.

In fact, several ministers have been heard saying that the package likely to be announced by the prime minister would silence the opposition YSR Congress and the Congress which have been agitating to put pressure on the TDP government to seek “Special Category” status from the Centre for the state.

Venkaiah Naidu, who has been dropping hints that the Centre may not be fully compensating the expenditure incurred by Andhra Pradesh in its gigantic plans for building a world-class capital city, remains non-committal on the SCS.

Indian Cellular Association (ICA) president Pankaj Mohindroo said Andhra Pradesh was fast turning out to be a preferred destination for mobile handset and component manufacturing companies.

AP citizens are eagerly awaiting Modi’s sanctions to the state. According to Ramesh, Andhra Pradesh would have benefitted to an extent of at least Rs 4,000 crore annually if the SCS was granted.

“It is a complete betrayal of the commitment”. Once Modi lays the foundation stone, the real work begins, and that includes financing the city over the next 10-15 years. The CPI-M too joined the chorus.