Protests planned to achieve special status for Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samiti has planned to organise massive protests across the state to achieve the much-awaited special status for Andhra Pradesh. The Samiti, which consists of members from various political parties and people’s organisations, on Monday resolved to plan the protests in the month of March by involving all the political parties excluding Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).

The leaders, while speaking at the roundtable in Vijayawada on Monday, said that they will put in a concerted effort to bring together all the opposition parties on one platform and fight for the state’s special status. The leaders said that BJP and TDP were cheating the public by not fulfilling the promises made to Andhra Pradesh during the state’s bifurcation.

CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna was quoted as saying, “Issues such as Vizag railway zone, Kadapa steel factory and port development were sidelined. Announcing special status as a closed chapter is not accepted.” The leader also criticised the central government for suggesting a World Bank loan for the construction of the capital city, Amaravati, and said that it is the centre’s responsibility to support the state in this regard.

While some suggested that the Chief Minister must pressurize the centre for fulfilling the promises, others said that the CM must approach the Supreme Court against the centre.