The Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samithi (Committee to achieve special category status) headed by Andhra intellectuals forum convenor Chalasani Srinivas, once again called for Andhra Pradesh bandh on April 16 in protest against the Centre’s attitude denying special category status to AP.
The bandh received support from the YSR Congress party, the Left parties, Jana Sena and other organisations. The BJP, of course, will stay away from it.
Surprisingly, the ruling Telugu Desam Party, which had supported such protests, including the recent highway blockade, decided against supporting the bandh this time. Naidu said strikes, agitations and shutdowns would only hit the state’s economy adversely, rather than highlighting the issue.
“What is the point in stalling the development in the state? It will make Modi happier person,” he said.
He, however, said the agitations should be done in Delhi, instead of in Andhra Pradesh.
“We cannot trouble ourselves for the injustice caused by the Centre. I am ready to go Delhi again to highlight the issue. I request all the parties to join me in the struggle,” he said.
On Thursday, activists of the Left parties and the samithi protested against the one-day long fast undertaken by BJP leaders across the state of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday.
In Vijayawada, Eluru, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam the agitators were taken into police custody as they came into blows with the BJP activists.
In several places TDP Legislators and workers undertook Padayatra’s protesting against BJP leader’s hunger strike.
