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 government of India-owned projects to reduce power tariffs in Andhra. In the run-up to the assembly elections, Naidu had flagged how the YSRCP government had raised power tariffs eight times in four years and had promised to reduce tariff if voted to power. The Centre's help could go a long way in delivering this election promise. Power tariff in Andhra Pradesh has been a politically potent issue. In 2000, as chief minister, Naidu had faced violent protests when he had raised power tariff by 14.5%. Protesters had marched to the assembly in Hyderabad and fought a pitched battle with the police leaving three persons dead and 200 injured.