People from all walks of life, who turned out for ‘Save Andhra Pradesh’ meeting here on Friday, pledged their support for restarting the agitation for United Andhra Pradesh if the Government goes ahead with division of the State.
The maiden gathering of integrationists after a break in the two-month intensified protests witnessed a sea of protesters on the premises of the N.T. Rama Rao Stadium here. APNGOs’ Joint Action Committee State leader P. Ashok Babu, who was the main speaker gave a hint that he would join politics if the situation so evolves.
“The Home Ministry’s request to the political parties in Andhra Pradesh to respond on 11 issues including water is something on which a conclusion could be arrived within a short period - that is before November 5,” said AP Intellectual Forum president Chalasani Srinivas.
Mr. Srinivas revealed on how Telangana leaders were hiding the facts about the T-movement and produced several documents in this regard. “UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi who was rejected Indian citizenship for 15 years after her marriage, has no right to have her say in the division of AP,” he added.
Farmers’ leader Erneni Nagendranath was puzzled that the bifurcation would directly impact irrigation facility in coastal Andhra as disputes on sharing of Krishna and Godavari river waters was likely to arise.
A group of girl students of Goutham School of Mudinepalli stole the show with their cultural programme of Maa Tujhe Salaam .
AP NGO Association President P. Ashok Babu on Friday made clear that no political party had helped the movement but tried their best to take advantage from the people-run 60-day movement. “We are even willing to leave the estimated employees’ two-month salary of Rs.2,500 crore which is now in the treasury of the government, if the Congress withdraws the division plan,” added Mr. Ashok Babu.
He alleged that the MPs representing Coastal Andhra Pradesh blackmailed the employees by putting off their resignation and changing strategies for their political mileage.
