The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): On Thursday, 6 June, the Congress party questioned former prime minister Narendra Modi about his promise to grant ‘special category’ status to Andhra Pradesh and Bihar if he is elected again. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh raised these questions amid ongoing political developments.
In a video statement on X, Ramesh addressed Modi, highlighting the importance of fulfilling this promise. “On 30 April 2014, in the holy city of Tirupati, you promised to give special category status to Andhra Pradesh so that massive investment comes in. It’s been 10 years but it has not happened. Will that promise be fulfilled now?” Ramesh asked.
He also accused Modi of attempting to privatize the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, a move opposed by all parties. “Will you stop the privatisation of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant now?” he questioned.
Turning to Bihar, Ramesh reminded Modi of his 2014 election promise and the long-standing demand from JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar for special category status for Bihar. Despite repeated requests, Modi remained silent on this issue during his tenure as prime minister. Ramesh noted that the Mahagathbandhan government in Bihar, which includes the RJD, Congress, and JD(U), conducted a caste survey in the state. He asked Modi, “We demanded that a nationwide caste census be carried out and even Nitish Kumar has supported this. Do you promise to conduct caste census in the entire country like it has been done in Bihar?”
These questions come after the BJP failed to secure an absolute majority on its own in the recent Lok Sabha polls. However, with support from allies like Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Nitish Kumar’s JD(U), the NDA has crossed the halfway mark, allowing them to form the government.
The TDP and JD(U), having won 16 and 12 Lok Sabha seats in Andhra Pradesh and Bihar respectively, have declared their support for the NDA coalition.