No bandh on Nov 28, but only protest: Uttam

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy has clarified that the "Aakrosh Diwas" on November 28 was not a call for bandh, but only demonstration against the unplanned move of demonitisation by the BJP Government at the Centre.

Briefing media persons after chairing a meeting with senior leaders at Gandhi Bhavan on Saturday, Uttam Kumar Reddy said that the Congress party has decided to organise rallies across the State in protest against the severe inconvenience caused to the general public due to Centre's ill-conceived move of demonitisation of Rs. 1,000 and Rs. 500 currency notes. Demonstrations will be organised in all Assembly segments and at headquarters of all 31 districts in Telangana State. In Hyderabad, a human chain will be formed before the Reserve Bank of India office. He said that the Congress party's protest will be totally peaceful and no inconvenience will be caused to the general public.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said that initially the opposition parties had decided to call for Bharat Bandh. Since entire population is facing traumatic situation after demonitisation move by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it was felt that bandh call might cause further inconvenience to general public. Therefore, it was decided to organise large scale protest against the Centre's move.

The TPCC chief said that the Prime Minister has pushed the entire country into a situation where everyone was feeling helpless. The pain and agony caused due to shortage of cash seems endless. He said the situation was turning worse with each passing day and the Centre was just adding to the woes of general public by making new announcements on daily basis. He said so far, at least 80 people died while standing in bank or ATM queues to withdraw their own money. The victims include 11 bank employees. He informed that the TPCC leaders, in their meeting, observed two minutes silence to pay their respects to the departed souls.

Uttam Kumar Reddy said directions have been issued to entire Congress cadre across Telangana State to organise protest before the Central Government offices in their areas. However, he said that the Congress workers have been asked to ensure that their demonstration does not cause any inconvenience to the general public.

Earlier, the TPCC chief chaired a meeting which was attended by TPCC Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Congress Legislature Party leader K. Jana Reddy, MP Nandi Yellaiah, ex-PCC presidents V. Hanumantha Rao and Ponnala Lakshmaiah, Vice-Presidents D.K. Aruna and Ponnam Prabhakar, ex-minister Danam Nagender, MLAs, MLCs and other senior leaders.