Only Congress cares for AP: Rahul

After raising the issue of a special package to Andhra Pradesh in both Houses of Parliament, the Congress on Wednesday took stock of the party’s prospects in the State.

The party high command interacted with leaders of the Andhra Pradesh unit in an effort to revive the party in the State, where it was in power till 2014.

Addressing the leaders, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said the Centre is not interested in supporting the aspirations of people of Andhra Pradesh.

“Whenever anybody whether it is family, State or the country goes through instability or has a big change, fear develops in people,” he said, maintaining that the decision to create a separate Telangana State was a commitment of the UPA government, and that the Congress would support the people of Andhra in “this change and transition”.

Claiming that it was only the Congress that was leading the fight for AP, he appreciated the efforts of Congress workers. “Do not underestimate what it means to be in Congress Party in AP. It’s a very difficult task you have in your hands, I recognise that and I am very proud to say that you’re fighting as true soldiers of the Congress party,” he told the party leaders from the State.

Attacking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said the Prime Minister only likes to attend events. “Sometimes the PM doesn’t realise that these special events might insult people, so it’s quite absurd that when people of AP are looking for assistance and help in making this transition during the AP reorganisation, help with the Polavaram project, special status, the PM comes, he brings with him all the things, he brings mud to AP and he brings water to AP. It reflects the mentality of PM; in AP people are struggling, suffering and are asking the question, that what support is the government giving us,” he added.

He said the Congress managed to put pressure on the Prime Minister on the Land Bill as a result of which the Budget was rendered pro-farmer. “For two years, there was no interest in farmers; that they were dying didn’t matter; that they were committing suicide didn’t matter, but Congress exerted pressure and budget became pro-farmer,” he claimed.

Later, talking to reporters, he said the Centre did not have a clear foreign policy.

“The Prime Minister moves, jumps from one position to another and he thinks that international diplomacy can be done on the basis of his whims and fancies. He thinks like going to Pakistan one day, and he gets up and goes to Pakistan,” Gandhi said.

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