AP special status issue will be resolved if PM focuses: Naidu

Observing that he did not know whether the Centre was really concentrating on granting special category status to Andhra Pradesh, state Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said it might happen if Prime Minister Narendra Modi "focuses" on the issue.
"We don't know if the Centre is concentrating on special category status. The Prime Minister referred it to Niti Aayog. The Niti Aayog submitted its report, but I don't know what is there in it," the Chief Minister remarked.
"I met the PM and Central ministers 20-30 times on special status, financial assistance and many other issues related to AP. The Centre should do all these with true spirit of the AP Reorganisation Act. I will again write a letter to the Prime Minister or meet him if required," Chandrababu told a press conference.

Referring to the conflicting statements by some Union Ministers on the special status, the Chief Minister wondered if they were speaking out of ignorance.
"I don't know if they are speaking with the Prime Minister's knowledge or out of their ignorance (of the subject). Things will happen if the Prime Minister focuses," Chandrababu noted.
Replying to a question, the Chief Minister said he was "not soft" on the special status, as being alleged by opposition parties, but "very much assertive".
"Taking our problems to the Centre's notice and find solutions is my main duty. We have a lot of things to get done," he added.