AP’s political parties demand special status to state; YSR cong calls for bandh  

Andhra Pradesh’s regional political parties, like YSR congress and TDP, has staged a protest outside the parliament demanding special status for the state. Meanwhile, the YSR congress has also announced bandh across Andhra Pradesh seeking the same. They allege that the ruling Telugu Desam Party has failed in perusing the centre to act in favour of the state even after holding a prominent position in the central ministry. The TDP is one of the prominent allies of the NDA government in the centre. It has nearly two ministers in the central ministry. Interestingly, the national parties like Congress, CPI and CPI (M) have extended strong support to the demand raised by the regional parties. Last week, while speaking at the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley, had announced the government would not grant special status to the state until it gains a financial stability.