Hyderabad: Union minister of state for science and technology Y.S. Sujana Chowdary, said if the TRS were to join the NDA, the Telugu Desam would be consulted as it was an ally and the party would then make its stance clear.

He also criticised Congress president Sonia Gandhi and said the party was using the Andhra Pradesh “special status” issue for political mileage. He questioned how the issue could be incorporated into the President’s address to Parliament in the Budget Session.

Mr Chowdary was speaking to the media on Sunday here. Asked about the rumours about the TRS joining the NDA at the Centre where his party (TD) was already an ally, Mr Chowdary said the TD would be consulted.

“If someone will join the NDA, they (NDA) will talk to us since we are also part of the coalition. We will give our opinion very clearly,” he said.

Mrs Gandhi had recently written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking the government to fulfill all promises made to AP and also to incorporate the assurances in the upcoming President’s address to Parliament.

Criticising the Congress president, Mr Chowdary pointed out that it was Congress that was to be blamed for the TD government’s failure to acquire the special status tag so far.

“There is no protest anywhere. If there is, it is started by the Congress party. How can the government incorporate the issue (special status) in the President’s address? Under which rule can it be done? Congress has to clarify. It is only raking up the issue for political mileage.”

The minister also said that everything on the special status issue and commitments made in the Reorganisation Act would be finalised in a week’s time. “This week we will discuss everything and in one week we will announce about this,” he said.

He also said that railway minister Suresh Prabhu has promised a him a new Railway Zone in Vizag.