New Delhi: The YSR Congress Party is unlikely to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha as it does not want to be seen aligned with the BJP-led ruling NDA until the Narendra Modi government fulfills its demand of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, a senior leader of the party said Sunday.
YSR Congress, which is the fourth largest party with 22 members in the 17th Lok Sabha, wants to maintain equidistance from both the ruling and opposition sides, the leader told PTI.
“Opposition especially the Congress is also responsible for Andhra Pradesh not getting the special status tag. It bifurcated the state but did not give it special status. So we will also be maintaining distance from them too,” the leader said.
However, he said the party may extend its support to the ruling dispensation on certain issues which would be in the interest of the country.
On the Deputy Speaker’s post, sources in the YSR Congress Party said there was no direct or formal offer made but there were indications.
“The party does not want this post, as it will be seen as aligning with the ruling dispensation. The party won’t do that until and unless Centre gives special status to Andhra Pradesh,” the YSR Congress leader said.
He further said the party has conveyed its stand to the BJP leadership.
Special status for Andhra Pradesh was the core agenda of YSR Congress supremo Jaganmohan Reddy, who swept the state elections and became the second chief minister after bifurcation.
Sources in the party also said the Deputy Speaker’s post is ceremonial and is of not much use to them.
They said they are in constant touch with the top leadership within the government and are pursuing them for accepting the demand of special status for the state.
AfterNitish Kumar, Jagan Reddy is the second regional leader to stand up to the Central Govt.
1. Every State of the Indian Union needs funds from the Centre and if the State government insists to get ‘Special Category Status’ (SCS), it means the there will be higher allocation of Central funds. 2. Of late there is a debate as regards Central government’s policy of funding of the States’ projects even as Jaganmohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh (AP) chief minister and his predecessor have raised demand for award of SCS to Andhra Pradesh (AP). 2. My comments on subject of Centre-State relationship and the currently debated topic, Central government funding of State govt. projects, are as follows. First a few questions: Are all regional parties of from different States united when they are demanding their rightful share of Central funds? Suppose AP gets ‘SCS’, would all other State governments keep quiet? Odisha’s chief minister has already said his if AP is awarded SCS, Odisha too would be entitled to claim SCS for itself. Other State governments too will make similar demands, with resultant chaos. 3. My incidental observation is that whenever Central govt. grants funds for projects of State governments, there is inadequate financial discipline and avoidable wastage of funds. Wastage of funds should be avoided as that is a prerequisite of good Centre-State fiscal relationship.
CM Jagan Reddy has inherited a state with stretched finances. When there is talk – subsequently denied – that Central Government employees might receive their salaries late, the fiscal situation of the country can be imagined. Centre and states will have to work together – GST Council is one good forum – to revive the economy and restore public finances to health. 2. The recent meeting with forty prominent businessmen / economists, organised by Niti Aayog is a welcome initiative. It should be a continuing process, with smaller, sharply focused groups.