Modi’s Top Coalition Ally Seeks More Than $12 Billion in Aid
- Naidu seeks funds to develop Andhra Pradesh state, people say
- BJP forced to work with Naidu after losing majority in polls
Photographer: Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
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A key ally in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s coalition government is demanding financial support of more than 1 trillion rupees ($12 billion) for the state he runs in southern India, according to people familiar with the matter, adding pressure on the federal budget.
N Chandrababu Naidu, head of the Telugu Desam Party and also chief minister of Andhra Pradesh state, met Modi Thursday to request an aid package to build the capital city in the state and fund other projects. Naidu has requested a substantial portion of the support to be paid from this year’s national budget, the people said, asking not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.