APCC plans dharna on May 2 over Special Status to AP

The Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has decided to hold a massive dharna at all District Headquarters on May 2 in protest against denial of Special Status to Andhra Pradesh.

Addressing a press conference at Indira Bhavan here on Saturday, APCC President Dr N Raghuveera Reddy said that the Congress party would intensify its agitation if the Centre fails to provide Special Status to Andhra Pradesh. He said that the previous UPA Government has promised to grant Special Status to Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation. However, the present BJP-led NDA Government is refusing to give AP its deserved status.

Congress senior leaders including Botsa Satyanarana, MM Pallam Raju, C Ramchandraiah, KVP Ramchander Rao and Anam Ramnarayana Reddy were also present in the conference.

Raghuveera Reddy alleged that denial of Special Status to AP was the result of a conspiracy hatched by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. He said Naidu has failed to get all the benefits which were promised in the Reorganisation Act by the previous Congress regime. He also alleged that the corruption was at its peak in Andhra Pradesh and farmers were hit due to drought and forcible acquisition of land for the new capital. He also accused the YSR Congress Party of failing in its responsibility to play the role of a strong opposition.

KVP said that it was strange that Naidu could not get Special Status for AP despite being a part of NDA Government. He said people would teach TDP Government a fitting lesson in near future.