No discrimination against states for development: Naidu

Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS) Union Urban Development Minister M.Venkaiah Naidu Saturday said the BJP is giving "priority" to West Bengal for the 2016 assembly elections while clarifying there is no political "discrimination" in the path to development.

Naidu also requested all political parties to "co-operate" for the "effective" functioning of parliament, ahead of the budget session starting Feb 23.

"I am happy the groundswell of support is growing in West Bengal for BJP. Earlier one Bengali babu (referring to union minister Babul Supriyo) could win and I hope in the coming days many other babus will win. The land is fertile in Bengal and we are focusing our attention here," he said here.

"Party is giving top priority to Bengal as far as the next elections are concerneda Awe are preparing in a big way," Naidu said on the sidelines of a function here.

Urging states to work together with the central government for development, Naidu asserted the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime will not differentiate.

"As far as development is concerned we are willing to work with the state governments, so no discrimination at all on the face of political colour. On politics, every party is free to have its own agenda," he said.

On the coming parliament session, he said: "Parliament needs to discuss, debate and decide. That should be the spirit of all. I am ready to walk an extra mile also to accommodate the opposition because in democracy both ruling and opposition parties have a responsibility to see that parliament functions effectively, people's issues were raised, discussed, debated and decided."

Quizzed on the objection faced on ordinances brought about by the government, Naidu said it is a common manoeuvre by political parties when they are in power.

"Ordinances are good when they are in power and bad when they are in opposition.. this is double standards. Ordinance is a constitutional provision.

"It has to be debated. I have no fancy for ordinances, but people's aspirations have to be met, development cannot be stopped. You have to take certain legislative measures. Congress has issued umpteen ordinances... ," he said.