TDP to pressurize centre for special category status to Andhra

Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided to mount pressure on the central government to grant special status to the state.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who also heads the TDP, Saturday asked party MPs to raise the issue in parliament and demand the government to fulfill the assurances given to the state in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Naidu presided over a meeting of party MPs, which discussed the issues to be raised during the budget session of parliament, beginning Monday.

The TDP chief said though the party is a constituent of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the MPs should make every effort to get special package and the funds due from the central government. He suggested to them to also hold talks with the central ministers in this regard.

Naidu also wanted the MPs to take up the demand for financial assistance to the state for relief and rehabilitation in the districts affected by cyclone 'Hudhud' last year.

The chief minister asked all 24 MPs to contribute Rs.1 crore from their constituency development fund to build houses for the families rendered homeless by the cyclone. He said the government would make a matching grant for the purpose.