TDP extends support to protest on special status issue

The Telugu Desam Party has decided to extend support to the National Highways blockade programme called by the opposition parties in Andhra Pradesh tomorrow seeking special category status to the state.

"Organisers of the agitation requested our support and the party chief (Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu) consented to it in the interests of the state," TDP AP unit president K Kala Venkat Rao told party leaders during a teleconference tonight.

A party release later said the TDP would not, however, participate in the agitation along with the main opposition YSR Congress since the "latter might create trouble."
Naidu, whose party, the TDP, quit the BJP-led NDA over the special category status issue, earlier called for a people's movement "till justice is done to the state."