Shell-shocked by the announcement of creation of a separate Telangana, activists of various organisations and groups gave vent to their anger by organising a bandh and other protests here on Wednesday. However, violent protests familiar in neighbouring districts were absent here.
AP NGOs Association activists staged a demonstration at the Collectorate protesting against the bifurcation of the State. Lawyers went round the town shouting slogans against the division and urging leaders to resign in protest. Protest demonstrations were organised at Dhone, Nandikotkur and other places. YSR Congress activists took out a rally against the issue.
Kurnool city observed a bandh voluntarily by closing all shops. APSRTC also withdrew services.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders led by DCC president B.Y. Ramaiah and MLC M. Sudhakar Babu urged the Centre to restore the capital to Kurnool maintaining status quo ante.
They said the capital was assumed to have been reverted to Kurnool from where it was shifted to Hyderabad in 1956 after the formation of a unified Andhra Pradesh.
Since the Centre proposed to create Telangana and erstwhile Andhra States, the capital was also assumed to have been restored to Kurnool.
Also, former Mayor S. Raghurami Reddy, who was witness to the formation of Andhra State at Kurnool in 1953, resigned from the Congress and hoisted a black flag in protest. He said the leadership of Rayalaseema had fallen in the trap laid by Coastal Andhra leaders who could achieve what they wanted to by taking the help of Rayalaseema. They secured control over Hyderabad and got financial assistance from the Centre for the Polavaram project. It was Rayalaseema which was left in the lurch.
Mr. Raghurami Reddy said he would take part in “satyagraha” demanding capital for Kurnool.
