With the support by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) became crucial for the formation of Narendra Modi government for the third time, the crucial demands from these two parties also gained prominence.
Apart from seeking each four cabinet berths, both the states are insisting to accord `Special Category Status’ (SCS) for their respective states. Similar demand is also pending from Odisha, where BJP is about to form its first government.
The 14th Finance Commission had stated that SCS was a burden on the Centre’s resources. This has been used by the NDA to reject Naidu’s pleas since 2014.However, in 2014 while adopting AP Bifurcation Act in the Parliament, the then UPA government adopted a compromise formula. It agreed for a specific period of five years for Andhra Pradesh.
In fact, Dr Manmohan Singh government adopted this proposal and directed the then Planning Commission to take necessary action in this regard. In 2014 elections, BJP mentioned in its AP Election Manifesto, if they are elected, they would accord SCS for a period of 10 years. But, after the formation of the Narendra Modi government they kept this issue under cold storage.
Meanwhile, Chandrababu Naidu is also seeking the post of Speaker on the lines it was allotted to their party by Vajapayee government in 1999. TDP is fearing that at a later stage BJP may try to split their MPs so as to weaken their bargaining power.
TDP is also seeking four cabinet berths, including minister of state in the Finance Ministry, ministries of roads, education and IT. JDU is insisting on a Railway ministry, besides defence, rural development and transport. On the otherhand, JD(S) from Karnataka is insisting on the agriculture ministry.
Apart from these issues, the JD(U) stating that the government should review ‘Agniveer’ scheme. But clarified that it is not a precondition in forming the next government with the BJP at the Centre.
JD(U) leader KC Tyagi said that there should be discussion on different clauses of Agniveer. On Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the said that their party chief had given his opinion in writing to the Law Commission, and they stand by the same. On ‘Special Category Status’, a JD(U) MP said that it had always been their party’s demand.
On caste-based census, JD(U) spokesperson KC Tyagi said, “No party in the country has said no to caste-based census. Bihar has shown the path. The PM too didn’t oppose it in the all-party delegation. Caste-based census is the call of the hour. We will pursue it.”
