Rahul Gandhi writes to PM Modi, presses for special category status for Andhra Pradesh

NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi pressing for early grant of special category status for Andhra Pradesh.

In his letter, the Congress Vice President has requested the Centre to grant special category status and announce a time frame for fulfillment of commitments made in Andhra Pradesh Reorganization Act, 2014, AICC sources said.

His letter comes at a time when Modi is set to visit Andhra Pradesh on Oct 22 to lay the foundation stone for Amaravathi--the new capital of the bifurcated state.

The Act had resulted in carving separate state of Telanagana out of Andhra Pradesh some two years back which has led to lot of problems for the people in coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions.

Gandhi had earlier accused the TDP-led government as also the NDA and opposition party YSR Congress for not doing enough to pressure the Centre on this issue.