TRS, Cong lock horns over promises in AP reorganisation act

The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and Congress in Telangana today engaged in a war of words over the issue of promises in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.

Responding to the criticism of Congress by TRS leaders, Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Mohammad Ali Shabbir alleged that the ruling party adopted double standards on the issue of special category status to Andhra Pradesh.

Congress seeks implementation of all promises given in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, he said.

TRS has not been able to realise the promises made in the Act, the congress leader alleged.

Irrigation Minister T Harish Rao, who sought the stance of Congress on giving special status to Andhra Pradesh and its impact on Telangana, should first know what his party leaders had earlier spoken on the matter, Shabbir told reporters.

TRS had earlier supported special status for AP in Parliament, he said.

Rao has said Congress would have to answer to Telangana people as industries in Telangana may shift base to Andhra Pradesh if tax exemptions are given to the neighbouring state under the special category status.

"Not only to Andhra Pradesh, Telangana too should be given the special status," Rao said.

Congress and BJP had done injustice to Telangana by not dividing the High Court in Hyderabad (between the two states) and by merging seven mandals of Telangana with Andhra Pradesh for constructing Polavaram project, he alleged.

Congress has recently reiterated its stance to support special category status for AP.