Jagan asks CM to quit for failing to get special status to AP, Calls bandh

Hyderabad, Sept.8: YSR Congress Party chief and Leader of the Opposition in AP Assembly YS Jaganmohan Reddy on Thursday demanded the resignation of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for admitting his failure to get Special Category Status to the residuary State. Speaking to media at the Assembly, Jagan lambasted the Chief Minister for his double-speak on the issue of Special Status. “On one hand, he says he is striving for Special Status and on the other expresses happiness over the Centre’s announcement of a special package which is a pittance to the State,” he said, adding that only special status can compensate the injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh in the bifurcation. Jaganmohan Reddy also called for a State-wide bandh on Saturday to protest against the Centre’s denial of special status to AP. Jagan appealed to the people to participate in the bandh to convey their resentment on the issue. “AP lost a well-developed capital in Hyderabad, and now we have to build a capital right from the scratch. We need to build an industrial base in the new capital. Attractive packages and tax benefits only can attract new industries to the State. We will fight until we get special status and there won’t be any compromise on the demand,” he declared.