Venkaiah Naidu Meets KCR; Says Centre Won’t Interfere In Inter-States’ Affairs

Union urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu met with chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana in two different meetings yesterday. He met the Telangana CM at the CM’s camp office at Begumpet. Earlier, he met AP CM at Lake View Guest House. Speculation is rife that the minister has met both the CMs with an agenda to bring some common ground between the CMs, who are divided on almost all counts.

The union minister asked the CMs to prepare detailed reports on projects that require Central assistance. The Union minister handed over notes on the Central schemes being implemented in the two States and their current status, officials said.

Talking to mediapersons after his 45 minute meeting with KCR, Venkaiah Naidu said the Centre and the State governments should work in close coordination to ensure development of the new State. Development in both the Telugu States should not be affected due to uncertainty, he said. Venkaiah said he asked both the chief ministers to follow AP Reorganisation Act strictly, without raising new issues. He added that he has asked both the chief ministers to set politics aside and strive for development and resolve issues. He reiterated Centre wont interfere in the issues between both states. He also added that he explained the current status of developmental works in central schemes to both the chief ministers. “Development was paralysed in Andhra Pradesh (before its bifurcation) because of the political turmoil. Now, we have to put things back on the track,” he added.

In his meeting with the AP CM, he was urged by Chandrababu to expedite the process of granting special category State status to his State. He also wanted the Centre to take quick decisions on release of funds to the State and the projects with Central assistance.