TDP calls off protest in Parliament following government's assurance

BJP's ally Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Tuesday called off its protest in parliament for special status to Andhra Pradesh following an assurance from the central government to address the issue.

The decision was taken after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha that the government stand by whatever commitments made to support Andhra Pradesh.

He said he spoke to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is also the TDP chief, over phone.

"We are trying to find a solution to the issues very shortly," he said and requested the TDP to call off its protest and cooperate in smooth functioning of the parliament.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar also appealed to the TDP MPs to give time to the government to address the issue.

Following Jaitley's assurance, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Y. S. Chowdary, of the TDP, told reporters that they were confident of achieving special status.

"We will wait and watch," said Chowdary, who is TDP parliamentary party leader.

Stating that there will be no compromise on state's interests, he said their fight would continue till the central government fulfils all its commitments under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Claiming that the TDP is sincere in its fight, Chowdary alleged that the YSR Congress and Congress were trying to take political mileage by creating problems between the TDP and the BJP.

Earlier, Lok Sabha was adjourned twice during the zero hour when TDP members created an uproar, demanding special status. YSR Congress also supported the demand.

--IANS

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