As Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Amravati to launch projects worth Rs 58,000 crore, including resuming construction of Andhra Pradesh’s greenfield capital city, the Congress party renewed its demand for clarity on the long-pending promise of Special Category Status (SCS) for the state.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, questioned whether Modi would fulfill the commitment made in Tirupati in March 2014, especially since the government recently adopted the Congress’ Nyay Patra vision by announcing a caste census.

Ramesh highlighted unfulfilled promises from the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014, including the Kadapa Steel Plant, Duggirajupatnam Port, Kakinada Petro complex, and an Agricultural University, accusing Modi of delaying these for a decade.

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The Congress claims Andhra Pradesh deserves SCS to offset revenue losses post-bifurcation, a promise also made by former PM Manmohan Singh and echoed by BJP leaders in 2014.

The Centre’s stance, citing the 14th Finance Commission’s dissolution of SCS for new states, has drawn criticism, with Andhra’s debt projected at 33% of its GSDP in 2023-24. With the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), a key NDA ally with 16 Lok Sabha seats, pressing for SCS, hopes are high, but past refusals citing strict criteria cast doubt on delivery.

Ramesh urged Modi to act, questioning if TDP’s Chandrababu Naidu will push aggressively for Andhra’s due.

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