The long pending demand of "Special Category Status" for Andhra Pradesh has once again gained momentum after the N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP's support became crucial for the formation of the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre. Telugu Desam party and Janasena won 16 and two MPs seats respectively from AP, which could prove to be crucial for forming the coalition government at the Centre, with BJP lacking the numbers this time to form a government on its own. The BJP in its poll campaigns during the run up to the 2014 General Elections promised that the SCS would be accorded to Andhra Pradesh if voted to power.
SCS, which was about additional central funds among others, was promised to Andhra Pradesh by the then central Congress government in the wake of the southern state's bifurcation and the creation of Telangana in 2014. However, it was shelved for various reasons including enhancement of devolution of funds to the states from 30 per cent to 41 per cent. Replying to a query in the parliament, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharama in June 2019 said there was no proposal under consideration of the Central Government for grant of Special Category Status though there were requests from Odisha, Rajasthan, Bihar, Telangana, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh.
According to her, SCS for plan assistance was granted in the past by the National Development Council (NDC) to some States that were characterised by a number of features necessitating special consideration. When cont.
