Even after 10 years of bifurcation of the state, the Narendra-led Central Government has practically pushed key issues related to AP Reorganization Act into shelf. More particularly, the issue of according `Special Status’ to the state, which was announced in the Parliament by the then Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Reddy and later by BJP in its 2014 Election Manifesto was also buried.
Though in 2018, the then chief minister Chandrababu Naidu came out from the NDA on the issue of ‘Special Status’, after humiliating defeat in 2019 polls he became silent on this issue. YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YCP also went to polls in 2019 on this issue, but after coming to power remained a mute spectator.
Now, practically no major political party in Andhra Pradesh refers to the issue of `Special Status’. Though Congress promised for it, it remained as an insignificant political force in the state. However, frequently this issue is somehow coming to the central stage ignating sentiments of the people of the state.
Once again the notice given by the AP High Court to the Center asking to clarify its stand on this issue has led to a lime light in AP politics. The High Court issued this notice responding to the petition filed by K A Paul, President of Praja Shanthi Party. In his petition he made it clear that besides special status, liberal finance from the center is needed for the state to withstand the present financial crisis.
He also mentioned that the present and also the previous governments in the state have mentioned that they are seeking special status. Hearing these arguments, the High Court bench consisting of Justice Narender and Justice Kiran Mai issued a notice to the Centre.
The Central Finance Department, Home Department, Niti Aayog Chairman and the Chief Secretary of the AP Government have given notices to submit complete details regarding the special status. The case has been postponed to 24th of this month.
At a time when everyone was forgetting about the special status, KA Paul stirred the hive. The Center may respond by stating that instead of special status they are according to a special financial package to the AP, for which the AP government had agreed earlier.
However, the response from the Chandrababu Naidu-led government seems to be interesting. Keeping in view the sentiments of the people in general, can the state government endorse the centre’s contention that special status is a closed chapter? Or can it assert the state’s urgent need for it?