The agitation against the decision of the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and the UPA to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh gained momentum in Seemandhra (coastal districts and Rayalaseema) on Thursday amidst reports that the issue would be taken up in the Union Cabinet meeting later in the day.
It was not clear for the better part of the day whether the issue would be taken up or not, but as the Telugu TV channels flashed the news that the issue would indeed figure in the meet, the agitators stepped the stir.
The agitators blocked road traffic in many coastal towns and also forced closure of shops. There were also a few stray incidents of vandalising statues. A statue of Rajiv Gandhi was vandalised here.
The agitators also staged demonstrations at the houses of State ministers, Union ministers and members of Parliament in the coastal districts.
A demonstration was staged here in front of the house of the Union Minister of State for Commerce, D. Purandeswari, who represents the Visakhapatnam Lok Sabha constituency. They shouted slogans against the minister, Sonia Gandhi and the Telangana separatist leaders. Many of the agitators were taken into custody.
V.V Rama Rao, a union leader and trustee in the Visakhapatnam port trust, took a dig at the Congress Party’s attitude in dealing with the Telangana issue.
“Thousands and lakhs of people are on the roads agitating against the thoughtless decision of the CWC and the UPA to divide the State and still there is no response from the Union Government. Perhaps, Rahul Gandhi should intervene and rubbish and dismiss the CWC resolution in the same peremptory manner in which he did the ordinance. Samaikhyandra leaders and agitators should catch hold of him to achieve their objective. His word carries more weight.”
He made the sarcastic observation at a gate meeting on Thursday in front of the port administrative office, while addressing the pensioners in the port.