Seemandhra Congress leaders plan indefinite fast in Hyderabad

Opposing bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Congress leaders from Seemandhra plans to take their fight to Hyderabad by launching an indefinite fast in the assembly premises from Sep 3.

Minister for Primary Education S. Sailajanath declared that members of assembly and council from Seemandhra (Raylaseema and Andhra) will participate in the fast to press the demand to keep the state united.

As the protests in 13 districts of Seemandhra continued for 31st day Friday, the scene is likely to shift to Hyderabad next week with the legislators going on fast and government employees planning a public meeting on Sep 7.

Sailajanth, who is heading the Seemandhra ministers opposing bifurcation, demanded that the Telugu Desam Party, the YSR Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India withdrew their letter sent to the central government supporting the demand for separate statehood to Telangana.

The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on July 30 had decided to carve out separate Telangana. It also mooted that Hyderabad will be joint capital of the two states till Seemandhra builds its own capital.

There was no let up in protests in Seemandhra even a month after the decision. Over six lakh government employees and teachers continued their indefinite strike, paralyzing the administration.

Road transport remained crippled with buses of state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) remaining off the roads.

State secretariat in Hyderabad once again witnesses protests and counter protests.

Seemandhra employees staged a protest raising slogans demanding justice and asserting their 'right over Hyderabad'.

Telangana employees also staged a sit-in, demanding immediate tabling of a bill in parliament for formation of Telangana state.

In a move to avert any clash between employees of the two regions, police imposed restrictions at Vidyut Soudha, the headquarters of electricity department which has been witnessing protests by both sides on almost daily basis.

Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazeted Officers (APNGOs) Association, representing Seemandhra employees, has sought police permission for Sep 7 public meeting.

Leaders of various political parties including some MPs and state ministers from Seemandhra have announced that they will participate in the meeting.

Police have not yet taken a decision on permitting the meeting. Pro-Telangana groups and even a section of Congress leaders from the region have threatened to disrupt the meet.

Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) has called for a peace rally in Hyderabad the same day to press the demand for speeding up the process for formation of Telangana state.