TDP’s silence after the Centre has dismissed any plans to grant special category status to Bihar, a key demand of the BJP-led NDA’s partner Janata Dal (United) rising eye-brow in Andhra Pradesh. The decision has prompted Bihar’s main opposition RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav to demand the resignation of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Significantly, this was revealed by minister of state for finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to Ramprit Mandal, JD(U) MP from Bihar’s Jhanjharpur in Lok Sabha, a day ahead of presenting the union budget. Only on the previous day at the all-party meeting convened by the center both JD(U) and RJD demanded special status. On the otherhand, YCP from Andhra Pradesh and BJD from Odisha also raised similar demands.
TDP, which had severed its ties with BJP in 2018 on the issue of special status only, is now strategically keeping silent on it. But the YCP which lost power in recent elections is trying to provoke the TDP on this issue at every given opportunity.
Chaudhary asserted that based on the 2012 report of the inter-ministerial group, Bihar cannot be given the status of a special state. While Bihar’s political leaders are actively challenging the Centre’s stance and calling for significant political consequences, a notable silence prevails from Andhra Pradesh, where the TDP, a key ally of the NDA government has not pressed for Special Category Status.
This absence of demand from the TDP is striking, particularly given the promises made to Andhra Pradesh during the state’s bifurcation and the subsequent years of political discourse. The TDP’s subdued approach raises several questions about its political strategy.
The party’s reluctance to demand Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh, a state that has faced significant challenges since its bifurcation, contrasts sharply with its previous positions. This silence might reflect a strategic compromise to maintain a favourable relationship with the Central government, possibly due to the electoral considerations.
Though Bihar leaders are pressing for this crucial demands ahead of assembly elections in the state, TDP priorities seems to be different. As the previous YCP regime left the state in financial anarchy, it is mainly focusing on getting centre’s assistance for completions of vital projects like Polavaram and Amaravati Capital.
TDP’s silence on this crucial issue also seems to be intended to send a strong signal to the Narendra Modi-led central government that ignoring pressing needs of the state may lead to political turmoil.