Accepted financial package for development of AP: Chandrababu

Visakhapatnam, Sep 14: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today said he accepted special financial package from the Centre with hope that it will be in the interest of the state.

"I accepted the special package for the sake of development of Andhra Pradesh with hope that it will be good for state," Naidu told students of a college here. Naidu has been under fire from opposition parties for "failing" to secure the special category status for Andhra Pradesh post its division in 2014.

The special package announced by BJP-led NDA government at Centre last week includes full funding of Pollavaram irrigation project, tax concessions and a special assistance. Andhra Pradesh suffered financially because of creation of separate state of Telengana in June 2014.

BJP is an ally of TDP in Andhra Pradesh as well at Centre. Referring to criticism by opposition parties, the Chief Minister said, "I am not scared of any high command. Public is my high command. I fear only for the problems and that's why I have accepted the special package."

He also defended Union minister and BJP leader from state M Venkaiah Naidu who has been target of opposition for "failure" to get special category status.

PTI