But granting Andhra special category status was a commitment made by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Parliament, and Andhra politicians have pressed the government to honour its predecessor’s commitment. Under the special package, AP will get 30 per cent more funds than the 42 per cent other states receive. If it was a weaker coalition government at the Centre, Naidu would have had greater bargaining power. Nevertheless, it will come as a relief to the ruling TDP that it finally has a concrete aid package from the Centre to project before citizens. Bihar has been pressing the government to honour PM Narendra Modi’s election promise to offer an Rs.1.25 lakh crore special package.

Source: dna September 12, 2016 02:26 UTC