Andhra CM designate calls on PM designate

YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah on Sunday, and discussed the issues of special category status for Andhra Pradesh and the state's financial situation, and sought special central funds from the Centre. Reddy, whose party won Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh by a landslide majority, also invited Shah and Modi for his swearing-in ceremony.

"Today was the first meeting with the Prime Minister. God willing, I will probably meet him 30, 40, 50 times over these five years. I will make it a point to remind him every time of the special category status," he told the media at Andhra Bhavan later.

Modi and Reddy congratulated each other for leading their respective parties to enormous victories in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. Reddy, accompanied by his chief secretary and party MPs, submitted a detailed presentation seeking the Centre's support for various projects.

He revealed that had the BJP not won such a landslide majority, he may have used his party's support as a bargaining chip to ensure special category status. "The situation would have been different had they (BJP) won just 250 seats. We would have supported them only after they signed the special category status document," he revealed.

During their meeting that lasted about an hour, he requested PM Modi to show magnanimity in a position of strength. "He listened to the whole thing. He was positive about helping the state and its people. It's a good sign. I am hoping things will work out positively," Reddy said.

Asked about his meeting with Amit Shah, he said he requested the "second most powerful man" to persuade the "most powerful man" in helping the state.

Jagan said the Centre must support the completion of the Dugarajapatnam port and Kadapa steel plant, while also urging him to release funds for the Polavaram project. He added that he has no enmity with his predecessor, TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu. "I have nothing against Naidu. My duty is that of a custodian. Today I am going to promise you, our govt will be revolutionary. Within six months-one year, I will make sure this government stands as an example to the country," he said.