Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader Chandrababu Naidu has often blamed the centre for not providing the assistance for development of his state. Citing this and many others reasons, especially for not bestowing “special category status” to AP he has severed ties with the National Democratic Alliance a few months back. His claims though have been baseless as it has been proved by many developmental works which are ongoing in the state at the behest of the central government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). It sometimes takes more than just action to show the realities of ground zero though, and this is precisely what BJP felt it lacked in Andhra Pradesh.Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways and Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Nitin Gadkari has been known for his efficient and goal driven style of work. He also shares an excellent rapport with almost all the chief ministers of various states in the country, irrespective of whether they come from BJP or opposition parties. His efficiency and style of work has even managed to silence Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
On his recent visit to Andhra Pradesh while speaking to the reporters Nitin Gadkari said, “Central government is keen on completion of the project and whatever funds are needed for the project, we will give them. We don’t want to mix developmental activities and politics.”
AP CM Chandrababu Naidu who was accompanying him had nothing to add to the statement made by Nitin Gadkari. This shows the lack of points which the Andhra Pradesh CM had for severing ties with the BJP led NDA coalition at the centre. Severing ties with the NDA and BJP had been more of a political gimmick by the Andhra Pradesh leader Chandrababu Naidu. There were absolutely no such high pressing demands by the state which were not being met by the centre. And Nitin Gadkari’s visit and statements prove this above all.
Nitin Gadkari visited the Polavaram dam site to review the progress of the Rs. 13,798 crore project which has been declared as a national project by the centre. Out of the total budget Rs. 8,662 crores have already been spent on the project till May 2018, the centre has already reimbursed Rs. 6,727 crore out of the total amount spent. The central government has helped the construction of the dam by putting a stay on ‘stop work’ order for the Polavaram project for another year. Union Environment and Forest Minister Harshvardhan had cleared the file which allowed the state government led by Chandrababu Naidu to continue works on the Polavaram project. The Polavaram project is set to be completed by 2019 as it is an important project for the southern state.
There is still hope that better sense prevails in the minds and the hearts of the TDP leaders specially Chandrababu Naidu. There is absolutely nothing which he stands to gain if he wishes to join the supposed Third Front for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. His popularity and winnability in his home state too would take a major blow if he continues to maintain an anti-centre approach in the coming days. Bad news for an ex-ally of the BJP and NDA.