CM Ramesh relives Congress split scare, thanks BJP

If Union ministers Venkaiah Naidu and Arun Jaitley had not effectively intervened with the then Congress government of Dr Manmohan Singh, we would not have been in a position to discuss the Private Member Bill of KVP Ramachandra Rao today, CM Ramesh, TDP MP, asserted in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday night. He pointed out that 80% members in the Rajya Sabha remained. Only change that had occurred between now and then is the roles were reversed. The Congress is sitting in the opposition and BJP is in the treasury benches. Reliving the testing times of the Congress regime, Ramesh recalled how the AP Reorgansiation Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha. Its doors were closed and the Bill was passed amid smoke and pandemonium. In the event, Andhra Pradesh was severely let down. Successor Andhra Pradesh with 58% population got 45% revenue and Telangana with 42% population got 55% revenue. Andhra pradesh faced a revenue shortfall of Rs 16,200 crore in the first year itself. Basavaraj Patil, who was in the Chair, said `Time ayindi' in clear Telugu. `Don't press for time': Ramesh. `I have taken prior permission from my party for my submission.' Chair: `Samayam patinchali.' The TDP-BJP alliance reassured the State. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had promised adequate funds for the capital construction while visiting Tirupati. He is a visionary. Chair repeats about `samayam.' `Don't disturb me. Time already taken': Ramesh. The first act of the BJP government at the Centre was the allotment of seven mandals for Andhra Pradesh, essential for taking up the Polavaram project. Only after this assurance that Chandrababu Naidu did take oath of office and secrecy. See the inequalities between AP and other States. Urban population in AP is hardly 21% as compared to 30-40% and above in other States. It is only the urban areas that give revenue. As for Special Category Status and other demands, the Chief Minister had made ten trips to Delhi, persuading the Central leaders. The SCS had become an obsession and a disease in AP. With folded hands, Ramesh thanked all the parties for considering the SCS demand.