TDP workers stage protests across state, bandh affects normal life

Protesting the arrest of Telugu Desam President N Chandrababu Naidu, who was staging indefinite hunger fast for the cause of farmers since last Friday, the TDP rank and file called for state-wide bandh on Monday.

Raising slogans against state government, the TDP workers in all 23 districts of the state staged dharnas and rallies and burnt Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy’s effigies.

Sensing trouble, the State Road Transport Corporation withdrew buses in some districts. The schools and colleges have declared a holiday and reports of commercial and business establishments downing their shutters are coming in.

However, banks and state government offices were functioning with thin attendance.

TDP leader Payyavula Keshav stated that the party was considering to introduce a no-confidence motion, if necessary, against the anti-farmer government in the state.

Communist Party of India and Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) have supported the bandh call.

The TDP leaders alleged that the state police have not treated the Opposition Leader, who served as chief minister for nine years, well.

TDP legislator Errabali Dayakar Rao stated the manner in which Mr Naidu and others were arrested reminds us of the black days of emergency.

Meanwhile, senior party leaders have called for an emergency party meeting to discuss the situation emerged after the arrest of Mr Naidu. The meeting will be held at NTR Trust Bhavan on Monday evening. Leaders from the Left parties are expected to attend the meeting.

The meeting will take a decision on the strategy to be adopted by the party to protest Mr Naidu’s arrest and it is speculated that the TDP will give a `Chalo Hyderabad’ call to its supporters on Tuesday.