As he stepped up the anti-Telangana protests by beginning an indefinite fast today, YSR Congress chief Jagan Mohan Reddy blamed Congress president Sonia Gandhi for 'dividing the state'.
Without naming Mrs Gandhi, the 40-year-old leader told media, "Someone wanted their son to become PM and divided the state."
Mr Reddy, who began his fast in front of around 1500 people at his Lotus Pound residence in Hyderabad, earlier reiterated why the decision on the formation of Telangana cannot be reversed when the government had just withdrawn the controversial ordinance which shielded convicted MPs convicted in criminal cases to remain in office just due to opposition by Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi.
Like other leaders who have censured the Centre for dividing Andhra Pradesh, Mr Reddy has alleged that the government's decision is motivated entirely by the approaching national elections.
"The central government does not want a united Andhra Pradesh," Mr Reddy said today, adding he will move the Supreme Court, challenging the cabinet's decision.
Mr Reddy is being seen to be taking the central role in leading the agitation against the Centre's decision on Telangana. His political rival, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu, is also expected to begin an indefinite fast.
"But what exactly is his stand? He should write a letter to the Centre first, saying he is for a united Andhra Pradesh," Mr Reddy said. He also did not rule out a possible alliance with the BJP if its party leaders from the state support the House resolution against Telangana in the state assembly.
