Centre has not backtracked on AP special status: BJP leader

Union Health Minister and BJP state affairs-in-charge J P Nadda said here today that the Centre has "not backtracked" on according special status to Andhra Pradesh.
"Special status is just a term. However, we have not backtracked on according special status. Special attention is being given to AP. We will fulfill all the promises we have made to the state.
"Financial assistance and tax exemptions will be given to AP. Polavaram project will be expedited and we have already sanctioned financial assistance for construction of the new capital of the state," he said.
Nadda, who was in the city to participate in the BJP state executive meeting said, special attention is being given to Andhra Pradesh by the Centre and and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a "special place in his heart" for the state.

He said that premier institutions like IIMs and IITs would come up, adding that the union government had already sanctioned setting up of 6,500 mw power plants to make Andhra Pradesh a state with 24x7 power supply.
"Pre-investment activities like soil test, preparation of PFRs, collection of environmental data have already begun to set up AIIMS at Mangalagiri in Guntur district," Nadda said.

A Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) facility has already been sanctioned for Vizag, he said.
He said that the BJP state executive body has decided to extend the membership drive until the end of April.
Against the target of enrolling 45 lakh members in AP, 35 lakh in Telangana, the party has enrolled 27 lakh members in both the states but the deadline actually ended by March end.

"The membership drive has been extended. A micro-level mass contact programme where BJP workers would personally meet all enrolled members will be taken up in May, June and July. Later, a training programme will be conducted for all newly enrolled workers," Nadda said.