Palak Verma, the All India Congress Committee (AICC) joint secretary and recently appointed in-charge of Andhra Pradesh, emphasized that Andhra Pradesh’s development hinges on the Congress Party returning to power both at the State and national levels. She asserted that the promise of Special Category Status (SCS) for the state could only be fulfilled if the Congress is elected.

In an interview with The Hindu during her visit to Vizianagaram, Ms. Verma, who hails from Gujarat, stated that the party still retains strong grassroots support. She cited her recent interactions in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, and Visakhapatnam as evidence of the Congress’s continuing base in the state.

She criticised both the ruling YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) in Andhra Pradesh and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA alliance, claiming that both have neglected the SCS issue over the last 11 years. Despite SCS being part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, she said neither the State nor Central governments have taken steps to implement it, largely due to the lack of pressure from regional parties. Ms. Verma stressed that the Congress is committed to enforcing SCS since it was originally included in the Act by the party.

Addressing national concerns, Ms. Verma pointed to alleged widespread voter list manipulations and criticised the Election Commission of India for its partial conduct. She said that despite these irregularities, the Congress and INDIA bloc had performed commendably in the 2024 general elections.

According to her, the NDA is attempting to register fake voters in states like Bihar as a response to the resurgence of Congress and its allies. She expressed confidence that the people of Bihar, Gujarat, and other poll-bound states would reject these tactics and hold the BJP and its allies accountable in the upcoming elections.