Bandh over Andhra special status marred by death of YSRC

A bandh called by the main Opposition party YSR Congress against the Centre's denial of special category status to Andhra Pradesh evoked mixed response across the state today, as a YSRC worker collapsed and died in West Godavari district.

YSRC activist Durga Rao collapsed on the Buttayagudem police station premises when he came running along with fellow workers after former MLA T Balaraju was taken into custody.

A heart patient, he fell down on reaching the police station and died while being taken to hospital, police said.

YSRC president and Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy expressed grief over Raos death. He alleged that it was a result of police high-handedness.

Former MP Y V Subba Reddy visited the bereaved family.

While the YSRC claimed the bandh was a 'success', the ruling Telugu Desam party dubbed it "total failure."
Meanwhile, TDP state president and power minister K Kala Venkata Rao said the YSRC bandh was a "total failure."