Despite wide speculation that the Telugu Desam Party will snap ties with the BJP ahead of the 2019 general elections for neglecting Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget, the TDP has decided to continue with the NDA.
In the high-level Parliamentary party meeting held on Sunday in Amaravati which lasted for over two hours, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu asked MPs to mount pressure on the Centre by disrupting the parliamentary proceedings, even if they face a possible suspension.
“The CM has asked the MPs to use all means possible to put pressure on the Centre and highlight our problems, including disrupting the Parliament even if they face the possibility of suspension. The CM said he is committed to maintaining the coalition dharma, but now the protests for justice for Andhra Pradesh should be out in the open rather than just sending requests and appeals,” said TDP central committee member Kambampati Rammohan Rao.
Speaking to the media, TDP leader and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y Sujana Chowdary stated that MPs will try to mount pressure on the Centre to honour all commitments made to the state during the time of bifurcation.
He said that the Centre should immediately address key issues, including the release of funds under the special assistance measure announced last year, funds for the Polavaram project, assistance to build new state capital Amaravati and setting up of a railway zone in Visakhapatnam.
“Budget and fund allocations to the state were discussed in the meeting. We will continue pressurising the Centre for it. We will also raise the matter in Parliament, If necessary we will protest in the house well too,” he said.
Responding to the question of the TDP MPs threatening to resign, he said, “We never said that, it is all speculation. All the decisions will be taken by the Chief Minister.”
He denied that BJP president Amit Shah reached out to TDP Chief N Chandrababu Naidu.
Before the meeting, several TDP leaders openly declared their dislike for BJP and wanted TDP to break the alliance. However, party president N Chandrababu Naidu asked them to hold back, and made it clear the party will not break the coalition.
Speculations about the rift between the TDP and BJP began after the state didn’t find any mention in the Union Budget, irking both the people of Andhra and the ministers.
On Saturday, netizens started a campaign and brought down the ratings of the official Facebook page of the BJP for neglecting the state.