Chandrababu Naidu thanks Centre for recognising Andhra's needs in Union Budget
Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday thanked the Central government for recognising the needs of the state in the Union Budget for fiscal 2024-25 by focusing on the capital city, Polavaram project, industrial nodes and development of backward areas.
Tabling the Union Budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman promised to arrange Rs 15,000 crore as special financial support for a capital city, "full commitment" to the Polavaram project, and funds for infrastructure and backward areas.
Thanking the Union Finance Minister, the Chief Minister noted that the support from the Centre will go a long way towards rebuilding Andhra Pradesh.
"On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for recognising the needs of our state and focusing on a capital, Polavaram, industrial nodes and development of backward areas in AP (Andhra Pradesh) in the union budget of FY 24-25," said Naidu in a post on X.
Further, he congratulated Sitharaman for presenting a "progressive and confidence-boosting budget."
Earlier, Andhra Pradesh IT and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday said the Union Budget allocations for industrial growth, infrastructure, irrigation and others as a 'new sunrise' for the state.
The IT Minister highlighted that their struggle has been recognised, calling the development as a matter of great pride for the people of the southern state.
"A new sunrise for Andhra Pradesh. I am extremely delighted and grateful for the Union Finance Minister's announcement today in the Budget. These will go a long way towards helping AP (Andhra Pradesh) achieve its development and social objectives," said Lokesh in a post on X.
According to the IT Minister, a special and holistic package has been provided to the state, covering all important areas such as industrial growth, infrastructure, irrigation and human resource development.
"I would like to make a special mention to the generous contribution made toward Amaravati and Polavaram. Today will be marked as a red letter day in the new state's history," he said.
Lokesh said this is the "first step towards our march together to building a state of our dreams".
Earlier, Lokesh, who also handles the portfolio of human resource development, welcomed the Central government's budgetary proposals providing support to Amaravati and Polavaram Irrigation projects.
"Thanks to the Central government which announced that it will provide full support for the completion of the projects of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and Polavaram project, the lifeline of AP (Andhra Pradesh)," he said.
"On behalf of the people of the state, we express our gratitude to the NDA government for committing to the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh by allocating Rs 15,000 crore in the budget," Lokesh added.
Presenting the Budget for 2024-25 in the Lok Sabha, Sitharaman on Tuesday said the Central government will provide Rs 15,000 crore financial assistance for Andhra Pradesh for the purpose of the development of Amaravati.
She further said the NDA government at the Centre is fully committed to financing and early completion of Polavaram irrigation project, which is considered as a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh and its farmers.
"Our government has made concerted efforts to fulfil the commitments in Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act. We are recognising the state's need for a capital. We will facilitate special financial support through multilateral development agencies. In the current financial year, Rs15,000 crore will be arranged with additional amounts in future years," she said.
Sitharaman further said under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, for promoting industrial development, funds will be provided for essential infrastructure such as water, power, Railways and roads, and also grants for backward regions of Rayalaseema, Prakasam and north coastal Andhra Pradesh.
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Sringeri postal ballot recount: Cong MLA Raje Gowda’s tally reduced by 255 votes
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled for Congress MLA T D Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission for further decision, he said.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on the election petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate D N Jeevaraj challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting took place on Saturday and continued until midnight.
Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes.
“The High Court on April 6 had ordered reverification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” returning officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty said.
Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, he said, “During the 2023 vote counting, Jeevaraj had received 692 votes, while Raje Gowda had received 569 votes. Now, after reverification and recounting, Jeevaraj has 690 valid votes, which is two votes less than earlier, while Raje Gowda has 314 votes, a difference of 255 votes.”
After the reverification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
The returning officer said that as per Election Commission rules, there are clear guidelines on how to accept or reject a vote, and the procedure was followed accordingly.
Regarding allegations of vote tampering, he said the allegations are criminal in nature and do not fall under his jurisdiction.
Jeevaraj, speaking to reporters, said, “As per the current count, I have the majority. Officials have said that the Election Commission will make the formal announcement. I will wait for the Commission’s order.”
Raje Gowda expressed doubts about “vote tampering” and demanded a detailed inquiry into Jeevaraj and others. He said he would file a case in this regard.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” he told reporters.
Raje Gowda and his supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged a “big conspiracy” in Sringeri.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress would take up the matter legally and would pursue all possible steps from the government.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity. I will go through the report and take further action. I had been watching developments overnight,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said that, as per his information, the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, he said, “Jeevaraj, after losing the election, went to court. Now, after the High Court order, recounting has happened, and Jeevaraj has won by 56 votes. There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Raje Gowda time to approach the High Court.”
Jeevaraj has already faced “injustice” for about three years by being denied the MLA post, Vijayendra said. “The injustice should not continue, and the Congress should accept the mandate of the people.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, of “vote theft.”
“The Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power in the Sringeri Assembly seat for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. It is a hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters,” he posted on X, congratulating Jeevaraj.
