AICC Vice President Rahul Gandhi speaking at the Pratyeka Hoda Barosa Sabha in Guntur on Sunday critiqued the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for going back on Special category status (SCS) promise given in Tirupati. “Modi failed to fulfil the assurance given in the holy place of God? How can such a person preserve Hindu Dharma?”

Gandhi said that SCS which is needed for integral development of AP, was not given by Man Mohan Singh but by the then Prime Minister of India. He asserted that SCS is not a gift but the right of the citizens of the state. The Member of Parliament from Amethi aforesaid that leaders of other states like Akhilesh Yadav and Sharad Yadav have come in support for SCS, but the local leaders failed to join the protest. He alleged that both the Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Opposition Leader Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy are afraid of Modi.

Gandhi said that the center would give 90 percent funding to the SCS states. He affirmed that priority will be given to AP and vowed that when Congress comes to power in 2019 elections and the first file to ink is AP SCS.

Bihar MP Sharad Yadav and Gandhi critiqued the Modi’s government failed to fulfil its commitments of providing 2 crore jobs.

Speaking on the occasion CPI national leader Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy said that the Chief Minister should take all party to the center and demand for special status. Reddy said that SCS is not a closed chapter but will remain open until it is granted

Former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav in his first visit to the state, said that not only special package but also special status should be given. He further said looking at the enthusiasm of people, he wants to leave UP and come to Andhra Pradesh. He asked AP to utilise the Presidential elections to mount pressure on the center

APCC chief Raghuveera Reddy said that they will continue the movement until AP is bestowed with SCS.