YSR Congress calls for 72-hour shutdown over Telangana decision

YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has called for a 72-hour shutdown in Seemandhra region to protest against the Union Cabinet's approval for creation of Telangana as the 29th state.

Reddy accused the Union Government of trying to woo voters by approving the formation of Telangana, and demanded the resignation of Cabinet members who have ignored and betrayed the state of Andhra Pradesh.

"Never in the past have we seen a situation where the Union Government has taken such unilateral decision to woo the voters. In fact, the whole process of having a national assembly has been ridiculed. This is very unfortunate for us. We demand the Cabinet members who has ignored and betrayed state of Andhra Pradesh to resign immediately,' he told media here yesterday.

According to television reports, in addition to Reddy's shutdown call, Seemandhra Lawyer Joint Action Committee (JAC) called a 48-hour shutdown in the 13 districts of Seemandhra.

The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) Association has also called for a 48-hour blockade of National Highways, reports added.

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the formation of Telangana from the existing state of Andhra Pradesh and that Hyderabad would be the joint capital for the next ten years.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who read out the Cabinet statement here last evening, said that a Group of Ministers (GoM) would be constituted to look into various issues between the two states.

He also said that the GoM would work towards ensuring the safety and security of the residents in all the three regions of Coastal Andhra, Rayalseema and Telangana, including the guarantee of their fundamental rights.

Shinde also said that the Group of Ministers would also look at the financial assistance for the state of Andhra Pradesh after the creation of Telangana, and to meet the special needs of the backward region and the district.

The Cabinet resolution would be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee with the recommendation that he refers it to the Andhra Pradesh state legislature.