Dr. K.A. Paul writes to Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu, urges immediate action on Special Category Status

Hyderabad 

Renowned global peace activist and founder of the Global Peace Initiative, Dr. K.A. Paul, has written an open letter to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, urging immediate action in support of the long-pending demand for Special Category Status (SCS) to the state. Dr. Paul emphasized the need to file a counter-affidavit in the Andhra Pradesh High Court as directed by the court in hearings held on August 21 and September 10, 2024.

In his letter, Dr. Paul stated that the High Court had accepted his petition for SCS and instructed the state government to respond. However, no counter has been filed yet. He appealed to the Chief Minister to honor the legal, moral, and constitutional responsibility towards the people of Andhra Pradesh.

“This is your moment to write lasting history,” Dr. Paul wrote, reminding the CM of his past support and the role he played in Naidu’s 2014 electoral comeback. He added, “Andhra Pradesh was unjustly bifurcated without a state capital or sufficient infrastructure. The people were promised justice, and that justice must now be delivered.”

Dr. Paul’s letter cited constitutional provisions (Articles 14, 21, 39(b), 266, 282, 3 read with 360), recommendations from the 14th Finance Commission, and the assurances made by national leaders such as Sonia Gandhi, Manmohan Singh, Narendra Modi, and Venkaiah Naidu — all of whom had publicly committed to granting Andhra Pradesh special status for five to ten years.

Key Points from the Letter:
Andhra Pradesh’s debt exceeds ₹10 lakh crore and lacks the infrastructure and investment climate it once had.

SCS would provide 90% central funding, tax exemptions, and attract foreign and domestic investors.

Dr. Paul claimed SCS could generate ₹2–3 lakh crore in economic activity and help double the state’s GDP every five years.

He urged the Chief Minister to stand firm against ideological extremism and revive his secular, progressive legacy.

Dr. Paul also called for a peaceful movement involving civil society, youth, and political leaders across party lines, including Pawan Kalyan, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Telangana leaders like Revanth Reddy, to support the state’s rightful claim.

He concluded by reiterating that the movement for Special Category Status is not just political or economic, but also a matter of moral obligation and historical justice.

Dr. Paul also urged Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to introduce a strong bill in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly to protect young girls and women from cruel creditors. He cited a disturbing incident reported today from Kuppam, Chittoor — the CM’s own constituency, where a young woman was allegedly tied to a tree and brutally beaten by a TDP worker over her husband’s failure to repay a loan of ₹80,000. A video report from a television channel has been enclosed as evidence.