Rahul writes to PM, seeks special status for Andhra

Congress today asserted that both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi favour a “mix of experience and youth” to strengthen the party after its leader Jairam Ramesh suggested a graceful exit for veterans once Rahul takes charge.

Even as Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee (OPCC) launched its Jagaran Yatra from Angul on October 14, party vice-president Rahul Gandhi has started meeting party leaders from the State in phases.

The Act had resulted in carving separate state of Telangana out of Andhra Pradesh a few two years back which has led to lot of problems for the people in coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions.

In a letter to the PM, Rahul said the UPA government had promised special status to Andhra in view of people’s concerns about its economic viability following the bifurcation.

I have been to Andhra Pradesh twice over the past year. “Everywhere I went, I could sense the severe disappointment and pain the people were in due to the Centre’s failure to honour its commitments”, Mr. Gandhi said in his letter dated October 17.

Gandhi said Andhra Pradesh is facing a “huge revenue deficit” and development is at a “virtual standstill”.

I have asked this question (on extension of special category status to AP) in Parliament three times and on all three occasions, the Finance Minister said “no”, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh on October 22 will visit with to lay the foundation stone of the new capital. “This announcement was later approved by the UPA Cabinet and sent to the Planning Commission for implementation”, he added.