Shutdown aganist raw deal to AP total, peaceful

Anantapur: The bandh call given by Left parties and supported by the YSRCP, Congress and Jana Sena in protest against the NDA government's raw deal to AP in the union budget was total and peaceful in the district. The bandh call evoked good response from the traders, employees and the general public and all sections sympathised with the state cause.

Even ruling party members including Ministers and MLAs lodged protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi by staging demonstrations near the statues of B R Ambedkar in the city and in different parts of the district. The ruling party members also tried to prove their point that they are second to none when it comes to fighting for the state interests.

In view of the advance appeals given by the Communist parties to traders to down their shutters on Thursday, many traders did not attempt to open their shops and establishments. Even advance information was given to schools and colleges to close down educational institutions.

Local universities like SKU, JNTU and government and private colleges all were closed for the day. Government offices, banks, shops and education institutions did not function today. CPI and CPM parties supported by YSRCP went around the town closing down shops that have remained opened. 

The Left party leaders including CPI leader Jagadish and Jaffer and CPM leaders Obulakonda Reddy and others speaking on the occasion denounced the NDA and TDP governments for trying to fool the people. The TDP by being part of the NDA and doing little to exert pressure on the NDA while the Modi government betrayed the people.

The TDP compromised with the NDA to enjoy power at the centre and was silent these 4 years. Meanwhile, Information Minister Kalva Srinivas stated that the people of the state were disappointed with the raw deal given to AP by the Modi government.

He said that it would be suicidal for the BJP to deny what is due to the people of AP and in the context urged the NDA government to rethink on its policy. Local MLA V Prabhakar Chowdary also demonstrated with his supporters at the local Ambedkar square urging the Modi government to keep up its election promise as well as implement the AP Reorganisation Act in toto.