BJP to sell 'Gujarat Model' in Seemandhra

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Feb 21, 2014: BJP, which is all set to claim the credit of bringing pressure on the Centre and successful in extracting best deal for Seemandhra, seems to be chalking out strategies to sell ‘Gujarat model” of development under the leadership of party’s prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi in the successor state of Andhra Pradesh, after bifurcation.

BJP leaders have dropped enough hints in this regard and are also planning several meetings of Modi in Seemandhra once the schedule for 2014 polls is announced. Modi has been concentrating on southern states and has been seen addressing rallies in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and recently in Karnataka. And wherever he addressed gatherings the BJP leader has been vocal in criticizing the Congress for mishandling the state bifurcation and meting out injustice to Seemandhra.

The residuary state has 25 loksabha seats, number more than 17 in Telangana. BJP leaders are of the opinion that though the party has supported the Telangan Bill in Parliament, it is TRS and Congress which are going to reap the electoral  and political benefits in the region.

Andhra Pradesh having lengthy coast line like Gujarat and a proposal to have a PCPIR, which was proved a success in Modi land, BJP leaders are of the opinion that if the Seemandhra public give opportunity to right and strong leadership like the Gujarat chief minister, the residuary state would surpass Gujarat in attracting investments, there by creating wealth and employment in the region.

  “No doubt, if the Seemandhra public gives mandate to right, strong and able leadership to person like Narendra Modi, the region will flourish. Seemandhra can become another Gujarat and may also surpass Gujarat. We will take this slogan to public,” a senior BJP leader from Seemandhra region told this correspondent.

Another BJP leader from the region, Kambhampati Haribabu said that, both Congress and TD elected representatives miserably failed in securing justice in Seemandhra. He reminded that it was pressure from BJP leaders in Rajyasabha that Centre had announced special status to residuary state, tax concessions, benefits and changing Polavaram from a normal irrigation project to multi purpose project and other benefits.

 “Our party doesn’t have much representation on ground in Seemandhra, but we strived till the last minute for the region. But Congress and TD MPs in both the houses from the Seemandhra region has failed to get justice done for the region,” he told this correspondent.