Hyderabad: Upping the ante, the YSR Congress party has decided to raise several issues including Special Category Status for Andhra Pradesh — in the winter session of Parliament. Farmers issues, problems aftermath the implementation of the GST, railway zone for Visakhapatnam, the Polavaram project are the issues that are likely to be raised by the YSRCP MPs during the winter session.

The party MPS have been directed by YSRCP president and Leader of the Opposition in AP Assembly YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to exert pressure on the Centre demanding implementation of assurances that were mentioned in the AP Reorganisation Act 2014.

YS Jagan presided over the YSRCP Parliamentary Meeting at party headquarters in Hyderabad. YS Jagan briefed the MPs over the strategy that they need to follow during the session. Later, speaking to media persons, MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy said that the special status should be given to Andhra Pradesh for ten years. The BJP had also assured that the bifurcated Andhra Pradesh state shall be provided with the special status tag before coming to the power at the Centre, he recalled. The MP further stressed for the need of Constitutional amendment to increase Assembly constituencies in the state.

He said that the party would press for a debate on Private member bill which was introduced demanding the special status. Most importantly, the YSRCP would rise the issue of defections of legislators in the state — in the Parliament winter session. It may be recalled that YS Jagan had already wrote a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitely seeking exemption of GST in textile sector. This issue is also likely to be raised by the MPs.