TDP shifts focus to Andhra specific union ministry-wise list of demands, sets aside speaker's post pursuit
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has decided against pushing for the Speaker's post and instead has prepared Andhra Pradesh-specific Union ministry-wise list of demands.
The key National Democratic Alliance partner is unlikely to pressurise BJP and go with the latter's choice of candidate for the Speaker's post. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu is more interested in pushing for central funds for Andhra Pradesh-specific projects. According to sources, TDP is preparing ministry-wise list of demands that the southern ally will push with the Centre. On top of the list is central funds for the development of Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh and clearance of arrears pertaining to the Polavaram Irrigation Project by the Centre. Amravati's importance in Naidu's political agenda was evident when he declared that the city would be the only capital of Andhra Pradesh even before he formally took oath as chief minister.
Naidu will also push for clearance of arrears relating to the Polavaram project — a long-standing demand of the Andhra Pradesh state government. The bone of contention has been cost escalation of the project owing to delays in implementation, increase in land required for the project and then acquired and the number of persons displaced by the project. Though the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP government had pushed this, the chief minister had limited success with the Centre. Party sources indicated that Naidu will push the demand again.
The state government is also looking for access to cheap power from
