Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is more likely to lose his sleep today as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is gearing up to table Union Budget for the next fiscal. Narendra Modi led Central government is continuing to disappoint the truncated state in all fronts deviating from the Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act.
The state was utterly disappointed with the Railway Budget. There are no new projects or trains to the state and there is no mention about the Special Railway Zone promised during the State Bifurcation. Adding to that, the recommendations of 14th Finance Commission did not grant any special support to the truncated state to ensure level playing ground with other states.
The state government is expecting the Special Status, Special Packages, Tax Incentives and Center's help to cover up the revenue deficit of the state in the budget. Also there is a humongous task of the State Capital Construction. But given Center's attitude, the hopes have already vanished. So Chandrababu Naidu will likely to have sleepless night today as he have to steer the state amid huge difficulties.
There will be political pressure on Naidu as well to give up ministries at the Center level and withdraw support to the NDA government. But it is difficult at this stage as there is no political alternative to the state except for supporting NDA government. On the flip side, on Thursday, Arun Jaitley in Rajya Sabha asked to wait for a good news for AP. Lets be hopeful!
