Budget 2024: NDA Allies JD(U), TDP Hail Big-Ticket Measures for Bihar & Andhra Pradesh – News18

Amid calls of ‘sarkar bachao budget’ by the opposition, NDA allies JD(U) and TDP on Tuesday (July 23) hailed the big-ticket measures for Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget 2024-25. Coalition politics was in full play as finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman made multiple announcements for the two states, ruled by key allies of the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In one of the first reactions by the N Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP, Union Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu said the budget has delivered on the expectations of the people of Andhra Pradesh. “It’s not just relief, it’s the responsibility that we have as part of the NDA government to deliver on the assurances and expectations that the people of Andhra Pradesh have from us,” he told CNN-News18. In Parliament, too, the minister was spotted cheering and showing a thumbs-up sign as Sitharaman made the announcements for Andhra Pradesh.

“With the budget today we have done that. The main interest of the people is to rebuild the state; backward districts in the state have got special focus. The YSRCP government completely destroyed Andhra Pradesh,” he said.

A key aide of Nitish Kumar, JD(U) MP KC Tyagi said those who were calling for the resignation of the Bihar chief minister should now step down from their posts. “This budget is the first step before the realisation of special status for Bihar,” he said.

A day before, the Centre reiterated its stand that it will not grant special status to Bihar, as a case for it to be in this category cannot be made out on the basis of existing rules. The JD(U) had earlier passed a resolution demanding special status, which includes tax relief and higher central funding for the beneficiary states.

Using the hashtag, ‘APThanksModiJi’ on social media Andhra Pradesh minister and Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh said the people of the state are grateful after the allocation of Rs 15,000 crore. “Thanks to the central government, which has announced that it will provide full support for the completion of the projects of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, and Polavaram. On behalf of the people of the state, we express our gratitude to the NDA government for committing to the reconstruction of Andhra Pradesh by allocating Rs 15,000 crore in the budget,” he said in a post on X.

Saying the budget announcement was a “new sunrise for Andhra Pradesh”, he added: “I am extremely delighted and grateful for the Union Finance Minister’s announcements today in the Budget. These will go a long way towards helping AP achieve its development and social objectives. It’s a matter of great pride for the people of Andhra Pradesh that our struggle has been recognised, and a special and holistic package has been provided covering all important areas like industrial growth, infrastructure, irrigation and HRD. I would like to make a special mention to the generous contribution made toward Amaravati and Polavaram. Today will be marked as a red letter day in the new state’s history. This is the first step towards our march together to building a state of our dreams.”

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