By SNV Sudhir
In an interview to Deccan Chronicle, Satyanarayana Bolisetty
pitched for Vizag as the capital of Andhra Pradesh. He also asserted that he
was a local and that his family had lived her since four generations, has a
better understanding of city’s problems and that of its people.
Excerpts:
Q: There is an anti Congress wave across Seemandhra due to the state’s
bifurcation. What give you confidence to enter the fray?
All parties are responsible for the state’s bifurcation.
While BJP leaders said they will divide the state if they come to power, TD
politburo endorsed the state’s bifurcation and wrote a letter to Centre. YSRC
said its Centre’s discretion on state bifurcation according to Article 3 of the
constitution. After taking into all this into consideration, the union
government led by UPA, took a decision. In a way, bifurcation is blessing in
disguise. We have got so many incentives in the form of tax exemptions, special
state status which is normally given to the states having international border,
AIIMs, IIT, and IIM etc. We need to explain the public how advantage is state
bifurcation for our growth and development. Bifurcation is an opportunity for
all of us.
Q: But people are seething with anger due to the way the state
bifurcation was done and leaders of opposition like Chandrababu Naidu and BJP
prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi are also pointing to the same making
it as a poll plank?
See the fate of the states that were formed during the NDA
regime. There is no development at all. That’s how NDA divided the states. Nobody was bothered to ask what AP needs
during the bifurcation. Without anyone asking it, UPA doled out so many
incentives. Due to UPA’s initiatives within no time, state will become
Navyandhra Pradesh provided state gets a decisive and expertise leadership,
which can be given only by the Congress.
Q: With a perceived Modi Wave across the country and BJP candidate in
the fray for Vizag Lok Sabha don’t you think it will have an impact on Vizag,
having sizeable urban voters?
There is no such Modi Wave. It was created artificially by
some media. I don’t understand why we
should take Gujarat Development model as a benchmark when it’s in the fifth
position among the states in the country in overall development parameters.
Kerala tops the list and we should follow that model. Congress believes in
inclusive growth. In all the growth parameters Gujarat ’s
performance is worst. Gujarat model is a myth.
Q: What are your priorities and plans for Vizag?
Being a local and
since my family has roots here since four generations I have a better
understanding about the local issues and the problems faced by the locals.
Being in business I have strived hard to bring in some branding for Vizag and
now in public life I have got opportunity to do more for Vizag. Being the only
big city in the state after bifurcation world’s focus will definitely shift
towards Vizag in the coming days and we should be geared up to take that. Of
course we need industries but stringent laws should be imposed to curb
pollution. I believe in holistic development and inclusive growth. My first
preference would be to make Vizag pollution free, shelters for urban poor.
Besides, employment, empowerment, education, environment protection and
economic growth are my priorities.
Q: Whats your view on various local groups pitching for Vizag is made capital
for the new state?
There is no other city in the state having so many qualities
suitable to be a capital. City has cosmopolitan culture, infrastructure, better
air connectivity, two sea ports, and huge chunks of land available around. Of
course there are some vested interests that are lobbying for other cities to be
made capital. But we are not going to allow that to happen. We will fight it
out. Vizag is a natural choice with the virtue of so many advantages and a
readymade city.
Ends//1:30pm
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