Jagan to challenge Andhra's division in court

YSR Congress party chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy, who began an indefinite fast here Saturday, declared that he would challenge in the Supreme Court the central government's decision to carve out a separate Telangana state

Jagan, as the MP from Kadapa is popularly known, began the fast demanding the central government rollback its decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh. He sat on fast in front of the party office at Lotus Pond in Jubilee Hills. Several party leaders and activists are also sitting on fast with him since 11.30 am.

Police have made elaborate security arrangements in view of threats by pro-Telangana groups to disrupt the fast.

Jagan told reporters that he would challenge the decision in the top court as there was no precedent of dividing a state without a resolution being passed in the state assembly.

Terming the decision of the union cabinet "arbitrary", he reiterated that Congress was dividing the state for "votes and seats".

Jagan said by undertaking the fast, he want to highlight the injustice to Seemandhra (Rayalseema and coastal Andhra). His party is also sending a delegation to Delhi to mobilize support from other parties.

"Today this has happened to Andhra Pradesh but tomorrow it can happen to any other state," he said.

The young leader, who spent 16 months in jail before being released on bail last week in a corruption case, said state's division would badly hit the interests of people of Seemandhra. "How will they survive without water for irrigation and drinking," he asked.

The YSR Congress leader also pointed out that the youth from Seemandhra after their education look to Hyderabad for jobs and the city also contribute 50 percent of the revenues.