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JDU & BJD Demand Special Status
New Delhi: Ahead of the Budget session of Parliament, the JD(U), YSRCP, and BJD on Sunday demanded special category status for Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha respectively. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh remarked that “strangely, the TDP kept quiet on the matter.” The demand for special category status for Bihar came from both the ruling NDA and the INDIA opposition bloc during an all-party meeting. BJP allies Sanjay Kumar Jha of the Janata Dal (United) and Union Minister Chirag Paswan of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) supported the demand, as did the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).
Sanjay Kumar Jha mentioned that a special financial package could be considered if special status is not feasible. In a post on X, Jairam Ramesh highlighted the demands made during the meeting chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. He noted that while JD(U) demanded special status for Bihar and YSRCP for Andhra Pradesh, the TDP remained silent.
In another post, Ramesh recalled that the BJP’s 2014 manifesto for Odisha had promised special category status, a point reiterated by Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Sasmit Patra. Patra emphasized that Odisha has been deprived of special status for over two decades and urged the Centre to revisit the issue, given the demands from multiple states.
JD(U), a key constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), recently passed a resolution demanding special category status or a special package for Bihar. The demand for special status for Andhra Pradesh has gained momentum post-Lok Sabha polls, with YSRCP’s Rajya Sabha floor leader Vijaisai Reddy reiterating it during the all-party meeting. Reddy criticized the TDP for ignoring the issue and compromising on the state’s interests.
TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu responded to the allegations, stating that the party is focused on a range of issues and will utilize the Budget session to address them. He mentioned an upcoming white paper on Andhra Pradesh’s finances, highlighting the state’s deteriorating financial situation and seeking broad support for their demands.
