HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has gone as far as he perhaps possibly can as an ally of the NDA.
Mr Naidu has said he is deeply disappointed with the Union budget. This comes just days after he expressed unhappiness over allocations made by the finance commission.
On Saturday, Mr Naidu’s deep disappointment was carefully couched to, hopefully not offend, but still make a strong point. He would like to meet the Prime Minister and Union finance minister to explain he and his state deserve better.
“Andhra Pradesh never aspired to be a separate state. Before dividing the state, we wanted them to do justice. But they did not do and Congress paid a price. We and also Narendra Modi made promises to Andhra Pradesh. That is why people voted us. Now government of India, NDA, not doing justice,” Mr Naidu explained.
Mr Naidu was also critical of allocations made to agriculture and said they were far from sufficient.
The chief minister pointed out that despite 42 per cent devolution under the new finance commission recommendations, and extra allocations, “even after five years, at the end of five years, despite the so called increased allocations of Finance Commission, we will still be a revenue-deficit state. We will be the only state to be in that condition.”
“Andhra Pradesh had a bad year. Even United Nations has said in the world maximum damage in the year was due to cyclone Hudhud, Rs 61000 crore. In other areas there is 36 per cent drought. Now there is no money, There is cyclone damage. There is drought. What Government of India is providing is totally insufficient. Even Budget we are totally disappointed,” he said.
“The Budget has let down the people of AP. It is Centre’s responsibility to provide us a level-playing field to address our needs. People of AP have reposed their faith in TDP-BJP alliance. They feel disappointed,” Mr Naidu said in a tweet on Saturday evening.
