Bandh for special status evinces a mixed response in Vizag

Demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh, several political parties and organisations observed a state-wide bandh on Friday. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and other leaders wore black showcasing their solidarity with the protestors. The bandh, however, received a mixed response in Vizag, if early reports are to be believed.

While a few CPI leaders blocked the National Highway at Maddilapalem in Vizag in the morning, other leftist leaders organised a bike rally from the Gandhi statue to Jagadamba, demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh. With the road blockage in the former case leading to traffic snarls on the highway, the police had to take a few leaders into custody to take control of the situation.

The public life, however, remained normal in many parts of the city. Public transport was on the run and not all schools and colleges declared a holiday as the citizens seemed to have got going with their daily tasks as usual.

On the other hand, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, as mentioned earlier, wore black as resentment against the “injustice” being done to Andhra Pradesh. “We are observing Black Day in Andhra Pradesh today to raise our voice against the gross injustice done to us by the Center. We stand determined to fight for our people and will not stop until justice is done,” Naidu commented on social media.

Nara Lokesh and other leaders of the party too wore black demanding special status for the state. “Wore black to protest against the Centre’s indifference towards #AndhraPradesh and for breaking every promise in the AP Reorganisation Act of 2014. We will not rest until justice is served,” Lokesh tweeted.