BJP, TDP 'rating' down in Andhra over special status issue: MP

 Vijayawada: The Centre's failure to grant special category status to Andhra Pradesh has brought down the "rating" of ruling TDP and BJP in the state, TDP Member of Parliament Rayapati Srinivasa Rao said today.

 "The rating of both BJP and TDP has come down due to the failure to grant special status to the state as promised under the Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act," he said.

 Rao was speaking to reporters after visiting the Kanaka Durga Temple here.

 BJP and TDP are allies in the ruling coalitions in Andhra Pradesh and also the Centre.

 The TDP lawmaker said he expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be here on October 22 to take part in the foundation laying ceremony of the new capital region, to make a positive statement on the special status issue.

 "If he fails to make any announcement in this regard, BJP in particular and TDP in general will lose face among the people of the state," Rao cautioned.