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LATEST UPDATES: Temple town of Tirupati remains peaceful despite devotees facing issues due to APSRTC buses being off the roads. Situation in Anantapur also remained calm, reports The Hindu. Even as the state continues to reel under the Left-backed protests, workers from the Jana Sena Party, which is led by actor Pawan Kalyan, chose to eat grass as a mark of protest against the Centre’s meagre allocation to the state in Union Budget 2018. Apart from Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam has also seen a good response to the bandh. Most streets in Visakhapatnam namely RTC Complex, Asilametta, Resapuvanipalem, Jagadamba, are all deserted. Many shopkeepers are voluntarily shutting their shops in support of the bandh. The general public is demanding special status to the state, reports say. After TDP MPs, YSRCP leaders are also protesting against Centre’s budgetary allocation to Andhra Pradesh. Meanwhile, actor Pawan Kalyan has extended his support to the bandh. Despite the bandh, hospital services across the state have not been affected. The Left, Congress and the YSRCP protested in Vijayawada, which hindered traffic across the district. Andhra University has suspended classes for the day fearing inconvenience to students due to the bandh called by the Left parties, The Hindu reported. Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have tightened the security in view of the shutdown called by the Left parties on Thursday to protest the injustice meted out to the state in the Union Budget 2018-19. The Communist Party of India, the Communist Party of India-Marxist and several other smaller parties have called for the shutdown. YSR Congress and Congress have backed the shutdown call. The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has also called for protests across the state to express solidarity with its MPs, who have been trying to stall the proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament to demand justice to the state. The government has declared holiday for schools as a precautionary measure. Police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. [caption id=“attachment_4341555” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]
CPM workers protest against the Centre on Thursday. 101 Reporters[/caption] Director General of Police M. Malakondaiah has directed Superintendents of Police in all districts to take all measures to maintain law and order. The officials in districts have been asked to take precautionary measures to protect public property and also keep a tight vigil. The police chief said additional forces were deployed in sensitive areas. The TDP, an ally of BJP-led NDA, continued its protest in Parliament. The party MPs raised slogans during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech, demanding justice for the state. Earlier, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked his party MPs to continue the protest till a categorical announcement from the Centre. Though Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar spoke to Naidu over phone, urging to advise his MPs to cooperate during the Prime Minister’s speech, Naidu made it clear that the protest will continue, TDP sources said. Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan said the movement to get justice for Andhra Pradesh should be on the lines of the movement for separate Telangana state. The Jana Sena party chief remarked that two placards and four slogans will of no use. He recalled that at the time of the state’s bifurcation, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced in Parliament that special category status will be accorded to Andhra Pradesh. Pawan said he had hoped that this commitment will be fulfilled after Narendra Modi formed the government at the Centre but this did not happen. Pawan said his party would support shutdown observed peacefully and without causing inconvenience to people.
Andhra Pradesh bandh updates: Shutdown peaceful in Tirupati so far but devotees facing travel issues, say reports
Authorities in Andhra Pradesh have tightened the security in view of the shutdown called by the Left parties on Thursday to protest the injustice meted out to the state in the Union Budget 2018-19.
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Jaganmohan Reddy suspends padayatra for a day
YSRC president and leader of Opposition YS Jaganmohan Reddy declared a one-day break from his ongoing padayatra in view of the bandh.He is currently in SPS Nellore district, reported PTI.
Forced bandhs witnessed in certain places
As per a report in The Indian Express, youths enforced the bandh in several parts of Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. These youth came on motorcycles and closed down shutter of shops which opened in the morning, the report said. By noon, all business establishments, banks, corporate shut shop for the day.
CPM slams Centre on Andhra Pradesh crisis
Speaking to The Times of India , CPM leader from Andhra Pradesh Narasinga Rao said that the Centre allocated huge sums to other states while leaving the state to its fate. Speaking in similar vein. CPI leader JV Satyanarayana Murty told the publication that they held the bandh against the Centre for the “injustice” meted out to the state.
Govt appeals to Andhra MPs to withdraw protests in Lok Sabha
The government today appealed to the MPs from Andhra Pradesh to withdraw their protest in Lok Sabha for central assistance to the state, saying Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will address their concerns while replying to the debate on the Budget.
Situation normal in Tirupati
The temple town of Tirupati is brimming with devotees despite the bandh, say reports. While the bandh has been peaceful, several pilgrims have been facing difficulties due to APSRTC buses being off the roads.
‘If we are incapable of protecting rights of Andhra people, why are we sitting here?’
KVP Ramachandra Rao, Congress MP says in the Rajya Sabha, “I’m representing the anguished people of Andhra Pradesh. I’m worried about the propriety. The House that passed the AP Reorganisation Act, is incapable protecting the rights of our own people, what are we supposed to do sitting here?”
‘Narendra Modi is sensitive to the issues raised by the people of Andhra Pradesh’
Ananth Kumar, Parliamentary Affairs minister in the Lok Sabha said, “Narendra Modi is very sensitive to the issues raised by the people of the Andhra Pradesh. The finance minister Arun Jaitley will address his concerns in his reply to the House. I request TDP MPs, led by Chandrababu Naidu, to have a healthy debate.”
Meanwhile, TDP MPs increase the volume of their protests saying they don’t believe them.
Bandh situation in Srikakulam
Bandh evoked good response in Srikakulam, reported The Hindu. All schools and colleges remained closed in the district. On the other hand, several top leaders of Opposition have been taken into custody, with around 200 persons detained in various police stations.
Janasena workers eat grass as mark of protest
The Hindu reported that Jana Sena workers in Eluru held novel protest by eating grass. The reprot said that this was symbolic of the state of the people after the meager allocation for the State in the Union Budget.
WATCH: Left protests against Centre’s indiference towards Andhra Pradesh
Video courtesy: Manideep Tummalapudi, 101Reporters
Actor Pawan Kalyan backs Andhra Pradesh bandh
Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan said the movement to get justice for Andhra Pradesh should be on the lines of the movement for separate Telangana state. The Jana Sena party chief remarked that two placards and four slogans will of no use.
He recalled that at the time of the state’s bifurcation, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced in Parliament that special category status will be accorded to Andhra Pradesh. Pawan said he had hoped that this commitment will be fulfilled after Narendra Modi formed the government at the Centre but this did not happen.
Pawan said his party would support shutdown observed peacefully and without causing inconvenience to people.
CPM workers speak out against the BJP-ruled Centre
Appa Rao and Santosh, local CPM chapter karyakarthas said: “BJP government is cheating Andhra people. When the state was divided in 2014, Modi and Venkaiah Naidu said they will give special status for 10 years. Its been 4 yrs since they got into power, not even a single promise was kept by them. We will continue our agitations till we get special status. Right now we are demanding proper budget allocations for Andhra Pradesh and we strongly demand Special Railway Zone for Vizag.”
Input from Manideep Tummalapudi, 101Reporters.
Visakhapatnam most affected by shutdown
The bandh has been most effective in Vishakapatnam so far. While the city witnessed a complete shutdown, CPM party worker took to the streets to protest against the alleged injustice meted out to Andhra Pradesh in the Union Budget 2018.
Input from Manideep Tummalapudi, 101Reporters
Pawan Kalyan’s Janasena Party out on streets to protest against Centre
Image courtesy: Manideep Tummalapudi,101 Reporters
Left carries out protests against Centre’s indifference towards Andhra Pradesh
Image courtesy: Manideep Tummalapudi, 101 Reporters
Protests staged across the state
The Indian Express reported that Left workers staged dharnas in front of several Road Transport Corporation depots and also took out rallies in important towns. In Kurnool, Guntur and Tirupati, YSRC activists joined protest rallies.
Political parties protest in Vijayawada
The Hindu reported that leaders and activists of CPM, CPI, YSRCP, Congress hit the streets early in the morning and staged protests at the Pundit Nehru Bus Station hindering the city and inter-district services of the APSRTC.
After TDP, YSRCP MPs protest outside Parliament
Chemists and hospitals to remain unaffected
According to The Newsminute, pharmaceuticals and hospitals across the state won’t be affected by the bandh on Thursday.
Baahubali’s collections more than Centre’s total allocation to Andhra, says TDP MP
TDP warns BJP to fulfil its promise for Andhra Pradesh
Participating in a debate on the Union Budget in the Lok Sabha, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MP Jayadev Galla said they have been fulfilling the “alliance dharma” (with the National Democratic Alliance) since 2014, and after five Union Budgets have been presented, this is the last chance for Andhra Pradesh to get what it was promised ahead of its bifurcation to carve out a separate state of Telangana.
Police beefs up security as state braces for shutdown
Police have made elaborate security arrangements to prevent any untoward incident. Director General of Police M. Malakondaiah has directed Superintendents of Police in all districts to take all measures to maintain law and order. The officials in districts have been asked to take precautionary measures to protect public property and also keep a tight vigil. The police chief said additional forces were deployed in sensitive areas.
Chandrababu Naidu unlikely to split with BJP in Andhra but TRS’ gains could mean saffron party will scout for other allies
Considering that the YSR Congress was within striking distance of the TDP in the last Assembly elections in terms of vote share and has of late been perceived to be gaining public acceptability while the TDP is tainted by allegations of corruption and maladministration, the BJP has reasons to think hard about the future alliances.
Read full analysis here
Naidu calls for protests across Andhra Pradesh
The Indian Express is reporting that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has also called for protests across the state to express solidarity with its members, who have been trying to disrupt the Parliament proceedings to demand justice to the state.
TDP MPs protest outside Parliament
Congress responds to Modi’s allegations over state bifurcation
Responding to the prime minister’s accusation that the Congress bifurcated Andhra Pradesh because of “political considerations”, Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge said Modi did not keep his word on doing justice to Telangana and giving an economic package to the residual Andhra Pradesh after the NDA came to power.
Recap: Arun Jaitley says Centre committed to Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act
A formula will soon be worked out to release funds under a special package to Andhra Pradesh, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said on Tuesday, allaying the fears of parliamentarians from the state.
He made the statements in both Houses of Parliament where MPs belonging to the TDP, YSR Congress and the Congress have been protesting for the past two days over “non-implementation” of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
Janasena chief Pawan Kalyan extends support to Andhra bandh
Andhra university classes suspended for a day
Andhra University had announced suspension of classes on Thursday in view of the State bandh. Registrar V Umamaheswara Rao was quoted by The Hindu as saying that the classes were being suspended to avoid inconvenience to students. The classes would be suspended at all colleges of AU and its affiliated colleges, the report added.
Jaitley’s assurance fails to assuage agitated Andhra MPs
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s assurance that an alternative mechanism would be worked out to provide financial assistance to Andhra Pradesh today failed to convince the agitated members from the state who continued to protest in support of their demand, reported PTI.
The protest continued in the Lok Sabha with lawmakers of the Telugu Desam Party and the YSR Congress, both arch-rivals in Andhra Pradesh, coming together to demand financial concessions for their state.
RECAP: Centre assures Andhra Pradesh MPs over special funds for state after TDP, YSR Congress disrupt Lok Sabha
“Their (MPs) demands are very sensitive. The prime minister and the Government of India are sensitive about development of Andhra Pradesh. Therefore, the matter they are raising will be looked into,” Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananth Kumar was quoted by PTI as saying.
RECAP: Andhra not given its due in Budget 2018-19: Union Minister YS Chowdhary
On Budget day, Union minister and Telugu Desam Party leader YS Chowdhary expressed disappointmen t over the resources allocated in the Union Budget 2018-19 for Andhra Pradesh, adding the party would continue to fight for the southern state’s due.
Speaking to reporters, the Minister of State for Science and Technology noted that the people of Andhra were dissatisfied with the budget.
“People and the party are disappointed with the Union Budget presented today. Many state issues like Railway Zone, Polavaram project funding, funding for capital Amaravati and other pending issues of Andhra Pradesh were not addressed in the budget,” he said.
Schools shut in Andhra Pradesh
Schools in Andhra Pradesh are shut today.
Elaborate secuity arrangements have been made to maintain the law and order situation. The officials have been directed to keep a strict vigil to prevent any untoward incident or damage to public property, The News Minute reported.
Left parties call for shutdown in Andhra
Auto union extends support to the bandh
The New Minute reported that auto services may also be hit as a part of the ongoing protests with the union extending its support. A few auto drivers said that they would support the bandh and stay off the roads for some time.
More than 1300 APSRTC buses have been stopped in Visakhapatnam, reports ANI.