Founder president of Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samithi Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy on Saturday launched his 96-hour hunger strike, “Rayalaseema Melukolupu Deeksha” in front of Sri Krishnadevarayulu statue in Kurnool.
While sitting for hunger fast, Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy said that the Deeksha was aimed to safeguard the self-respect and interests of the people of perennially drought-prone Rayalaseema region. Reiterating that he was opposed to the bifurcation of State, he called upon all parties to make their stand clear on the statehood issue and put an end to uncertainty in the state.
Stating that the TDP was in no way connected to the Deeksha, he came down heavily on those leaders for suspecting party president N Chandrababu Naidu’s hand behind the demand of Rayalaseema state. He alleged that the Congress leaders launched malicious campaign against Naidu suspecting his hand behind Rayalaseema demand to get mileage on the statehood issue and to divert the attention of people.
Byreddy said that he has not raised this demand to scuttle the Telangana State formation and to create awareness on remaining the state united.
Earlier, Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy and Rayalaseema Rashtra Samithi president Kuncham Venkatasubba Reddy performed Abhishekham with milk for Sri Krishnadevarayulu statue before sitting in for hunger fast.