Andhra CM takes out padayatra to push special category status

New Delhi: In an effort to push the special category status demand for Andhra Pradesh, the state Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who had staged a dharna at AP Bhavan on Monday, took out a padayatra from AP Bhavan to Jantar Mantar on Tuesday.

Later in the day, the Andhra Chief Minister submitted a memorandum to President Ram Nath Kovind seeking special category status and fulfilment of bifurcation assurances.

After submitting the memorandum to the President, Naidu said, "A delegation led by himself and several organisations and journalists association leaders called on the President and submitted a memorandum seeking justice to AP."

During the meeting, he apprised the President about the release of Rs 1,500 crore by the Centre for the development of Amaravati capital. Naidu further informed the President that the government at the Centre has failed to fill the revenue deficit gap.

"We have also brought into the notice of the President about the decision in the Parliament to grant special category status to AP, which has not been fulfilled by the present government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi," Naidu told mediapersons.

Naidu further alleged that the NDA government has failed to protect the interests of Andhra Pradesh and neglected the implementation of bifurcation assurances.

Bringing his battle for special status for his state to the national capital, Naidu on Monday went on a daylong fast that became a rallying point for opposition unity for the second time in less than a month to take on the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.

Naidu, who is trying to unite opposition parties, has over the last three months held a number of meetings with opposition party leaders on forming an anti-BJP front. The TDP pulled out of the NDA government in March last year over its refusal to grant special status to Andhra Pradesh.