YSR Congress set to spearhead Seemandhra shutdown today

The YSR Congress Party, which is led by Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, is expected and all set to lead a shutdown movement across the Seemandhra region of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the Andhra Pradesh State Reorganisation Bill by a voice vote and behind closed doors, notwithstanding protests by several members of parliament.

Protests have already begun in the Seemandhra region against the state's bifurcation. State owned road transport corporation buses have been withdrawn to their depots at several places in the region following protests by supporters of united Andhra Pradesh.

Rallies and demonstrations have been held, and more of them are expected to be held today.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Kiran Reddy is expected to meet with some key state leaders and supporters, and is likely to submit his resignation to the Congress high command in the wake of the passing of the controversial Bill into law.

Jaganmohan Reddy, who was suspended last week for disrupting the House, termed the decision as a "black day" for

the country. He alleged that democracy has been killed in India in broad day light.