Special status for Andhra: YSR Congress unlikely to accept Lok Sabha Dy Speaker's post
New Delhi: The YSR Congress Party is unlikely to accept the post of Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha as it does not want to be seen aligned with the BJP-led ruling NDA until the Narendra Modi government fulfil its demand of granting special status to Andhra Pradesh, a senior leader of the party said Sunday.
YSR Congress, which is fourth largest party with 22 members in the 17th Lok Sabha, wants to maintain equidistance from both the ruling and opposition sides, the leader told PTI.
"Opposition especially the Congress is also responsible for Andhra Pradesh not getting the special status tag. It bifurcated the state but did not give it special status. So we will also be maintaining distance from them too," the leader said.
However, he said the party may extend its support to the ruling dispensation on certain issues which would be in the interest of the country.
On the Deputy Speaker's post, sources in the YSR Congress Party said there was no direct or formal offer made but there were indications.
"The party does not want this post, as it will be seen as aligning with the ruling dispensation. The party won't do that until and unless Centre gives special status to Andhra Pradesh," the YSR Congress leader said.
He further said the party has conveyed its stand to the BJP leadership.
Special status for Andhra Pradesh was the core agenda of YSR Congress supremo Jaganmohan Reddy, who swept the state elections and became the second chief minister after bifurcation.
Sources in the party also said the Deputy Speaker's post is ceremonial and is of not much use to them.
They said they are in constant touch with the top leadership within the government and are pursuing them for accepting the demand of special status for the state.
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Priyanka Gandhi to campaign across Wayanad for two days from Monday
Wayanad (Kerala) (PTI): Congress general secretary and UDF candidate for Wayanad bypoll, Priyanka Gandhi, will campaign across the hill constituency for two days from Monday, engaging with voters and addressing public meetings, party leaders said.
Priyanka’s campaign will begin on Monday at the Nilgiri College of Arts and Science, where she is expected to arrive by helicopter around 11.20 am.
Her first meeting will be at Meenangadi in Sulthan Bathery Assembly constituency, followed by a public meeting at Panamaram in Mananthavady Assembly seat at 2.30 pm. She will conclude her day with another public meeting in Pozhuthana in Kalpetta Assembly constituency at 4.30 pm.
This is her second visit to the constituency after filling her nominations on October 22, followed by a road show in Kalpetta town here, which was attended by her brother Rahul Gandhi, mother Sonia Gandhi, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, along with the grand old party's state leaders.
The byelection is necessitated after Rahul Gandhi vacated the seat following his victory in Rai Bareli constituency in the recent Parliament elections. The bypoll will be held on November 13.
On Tuesday, Priyanka will continue her campaign trail, commencing with addressing a meeting at 9.30 am in Thiruvambadi, followed by a gathering in Engapuzha. Her mid-day meetings include Eranad at 12.30 pm and Therattammal later in the day.
In the afternoon, she will address party workers at 3 pm in Wandoor and Mampad, concluding at 4.30 pm with a meeting in Nilambur, after which she will proceed to Chungathara.
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal MP, and other prominent UDF leaders, are expected to join Priyanka at various programmes across the district.
Priyanka is contesting against LDF’s veteran leader Sathyan Mokeri, a former MLA and BJP’s Navya Haridas, a two-time counsellor of Kozhikode Corporation.
