Ahead of the full annual Budget of third tenure of BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national Capital on Thursday and described their discussions on key development issues concerning the State as “constructive”.

Naidu’s assertion has come a week after another significant ally of the NDA, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar-led JD(U) had pressed for special package and grants for Bihar during the meeting of party’s national executive.

Sources said during the meeting at the PMO, Naidu advocated for increased assistance to Andhra Pradesh in lieu of special category status. The chief of Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which is an important ally in the BJP-led NDA Government, presented several crucial proposals for the State’s development and sought the Union Government support, sources said.

Following the meeting, he expressed confidence in Andhra Pradesh’s potential to “re-emerge as a powerhouse among States” under Modi’s leadership. “Today, I had a constructive meeting with the Prime Minister to address important matters concerning the welfare and development of Andhra Pradesh. I am confident that under his leadership, our State will re-emerge as a powerhouse among States,” Naidu took to social media to share the details. 

The PMO confirmed the meeting between Naidu and Modi via social media.

The Andhra Pradesh chief minister’s two-day Delhi visit included meetings with several Union Ministers. He discussed national highway projects with Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and praised the “spirit of cooperative federalism” after talks with Minister Piyush Goyal. Naidu also met Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to discuss state-specific issues.

The visit is seen as crucial for securing Central support for Andhra Pradesh’s development following its 2014 bifurcation. Naidu’s engagements in the capital underscore the TDP’s importance as an NDA partner and the state’s push for accelerated growth.

In regards to his party stand, JD(U) working president Sanjay Kumar Jha on Thursday rubbished speculations that the party’s push for grant of special status to Bihar could lead to a confrontation with the NDA government at the Centre. 

“The resolution has also made it clear that we want help, be it in the form of special status or special package. The prime minister is sensitive towards our concerns. In the next five years, Bihar would be among the developed states, powered by ample central assistance,” said Jha.