Congress Main Villain In Entire Episode Of Special Category Status, Bifurcation: YSRCP MP

YSRCP MP V Vijayasai Reddy criticized the Congress for rushed and "unscientific" division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 alleging it was solely for political gains.

Vijayasai projected that India would achieve a "Congress-mukt (free of Congress)" status by 2029.

During the session in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, YSRCP MP V Vijayasai Reddy dubbed Congress as the "main villain" of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 and said that state's people would never forgive the party. Participating in the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President's Address, he asserted that India saw significant progress during periods when the Congress was not in power.

"Out of India's 77 years of independence, the Congress ruled for over 50 years. The nation witnessed substantial growth in the remaining 27 years," he emphasized.

He projected that India would achieve a "Congress-mukt (free of Congress)" status by 2029 suggesting that the party would eventually become obsolete. He criticized the Congress for the rushed and "unscientific" division of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 alleging it was solely for political gains.

Addressing the issue of the special category status for Andhra Pradesh, he blamed the Congress for mishandling the situation and asserted that his party, the YSRCP, consistently advocated for this status.

"The Congress was the main villain in the entire episode of the special category status (issue) and also bifurcation (of Andhra Pradesh). They undertook the division of the state and its people merely to serve their own political motives," he said.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's numerous meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were highlighted as efforts to demand special status for the state.

He noted that the people of Andhra Pradesh had already shown their discontent with the Congress in the 2019 elections, where the party's vote share was lower than that of NOTA.

He criticized the "violent and unscientific" bifurcation of the state, emphasizing that it severely damaged the socio-economic fabric.

Regarding the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, he highlighted concerns raised by MPs, including those from the Congress, on issues such as water and electricity sharing, revenue distribution, and capital allocation. He lamented that these concerns were ignored, and the bill was passed amidst chaos.

He recalled the promise made by then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the Rajya Sabha regarding special category status for Andhra Pradesh, emphasizing that it was not fulfilled.