There is no special category status for Andhra Pradesh or for that matter any other state, after the Fourteenth Finance Commission recommendations accepted by all political parties, since all the States get 10 per cent more funds, BJP national secretary and party-in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Siddarth Nath Singh has said.

He was speaking to the media here on Wednesday. He said the issue is "an emotive one and we are working on it and give us more time. We are looking at alternatives to help AP."

He blamed the Congress party for the problems faced by the AP on the particular issue. He alleged that people were being misled by a section of the media and some political parties and to overcome it. TDP and BJP would embark on a joint communication strategy. Towards this end, he spoke to Union Minister Y S Chowdary, coordinating between the two parties. The two had discussed over phone and would meet again on Monday so there was no misunderstanding and confusion. “We talk the same language,” he said.

Describing Andhra Pradesh as special status state (SSS) for BJP, he said among the alternatives provided are: 100 per cent funding of the Polavaram national project, instead of the usual 70:30, owing to the efforts of Union Minister Uma Bharti, a grant of Rs. 22,112 crore over a period of four years to meet the revenue deficit of the new State, Rs. 65,000 crore towards road projects and Rs. 2,500 crore for the new capital Amaravati. Fiscal incentives for new industries have also been announced, he said.

“We are working on the Railway Zone issue and Visakahpatnam would get it,” he asserted.

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