'We want Andhra Pradesh to be united': Jagan Mohan Reddy

YSR Congress Party chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, who began an indefinite fast on Saturday to protest against the Centre's decision to create a separate Telangana, said the main motive behind his agitation is to have a united Andhra Pradesh.

"We are doing it for a cause. The cause is to have the state united. If the state is bifurcated, we will not even have drinking water. This is a reality," he told Asian News International (ANI) here.

Reddy earlier in the day said his party would approach the Supreme Court, and ask it to tell the Centre to withdraw its arbitrary decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

"Why is no one talking about Bodoland, Gorkhaland or Vidarbha? We will be definitely going to the Supreme Court in protest. We are looking forward for some help, because this kind of arbitrarily doing, it is not helpful for the country. People are splitting this country for the sake of votes and seats," he said.

Normal life remained crippled for the second day today in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions where a shutdown is being observed to protest the Centre's decision to bifurcate the state.

The YSR Congress has called for 72-hour shutdown in the non-Telangana regions

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) and other united- Andhra Pradesh supporters have given a 48-hour shutdown call.

Educational and commercial establishments remained closed in Seemandhra, where normal life was thrown out of gear.

The Union Cabinet earlier on Thursday approved the creation of a new state of Telangana by bifurcating the existing state of Andhra Pradesh.

The city of Hyderabad will function as the common capital for both the states for a period of ten years.

The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of a Group of Ministers (GoM) to work out the various legal and administrative measures to ensure the safety and security of the residents of all the regions of the State including the guarantee of the Fundamental Rights.

The Union Cabinet further approved that the GoM will go into the various issues which concern both the States and suggest appropriate measures to address them.

The GoM will also work out the modalities for the provision of special financial disbursements required for the setting up of a new capital for the residuary State of Andhra Pradesh and to meet the special needs of the backward regions and districts of the two States.