Strongly opposing the proposal of the Group of Minister (GoM), set up to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, to recommend the Centre for special category status (SCS) to both AP and Telangana under Article 371-D of the Constitution, the Kalinga Sena on Wednesday demanded that SCS be granted to Odisha as it is the most backward State as per the Raghuram Rajan committee report.
“There is no justification to grant SCS to AP and Telangana at this stage; instead, Odisha fulfils the criteria for the purpose. The proposal of the GoM for SCS to AP and Telangana exposes the cheap political ideology of the Congress,” alleged Sena supremo Hemant Rath at a Press conference here, adding that his party would submit a memorandum to the Governor and President demanding SCS to Odisha soon.
“When Odisha failed to qualify for SCS status as per the Gadgil formula and National Development Council (NDC) guidelines then on what basis the GoM is all set to recommend for SCS for AP and Telangana,” Rath wanted to know.