A day after Telugu Desam Party legislators demanded to pull out of the NDA over the special category status issue, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wondered why the BJP was not responding to the needs of its alliance partner.
Addressing the assembly on Wednesday, Naidu dropped broad hints on the possibility of severing ties with the BJP, making a mention of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi’s offer of granting special category status to the state if they come to power. “Rahul Gandhi is saying they will give ‘special category status’ to AP if they come to power. Why are you (BJP) not responding to the needs of your alliance partner?” the CM said. Naidu mentioned that the promise of special category status was the only reason for BJP-TDP alliance and hinted that the party was losing patience. “Special category status for Andhra Pradesh was the only reason for BJP-TDP alliance. We have waited with patience for 4 years,” the CM said, adding that the BJP had shown double standards on keeping its promise.