The arena of Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium in the city, on Friday, became the single biggest platform where the demand for the Special Category Status (SCS) resonated throughout the day.
As the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who just turned 68, began the ‘Dharma Porata Deeksha’, 12-hour hunger strike, thousands of students, politicians, representatives of employees’ unions and others thronged the venue.
Moving through the walkway set up before the dais, visitors from all walks of life, approached Mr. Naidu assuring him of support in the fight while he patiently responded to everyone.
While a man from the washermen community displayed before Mr. Naidu an iron box indicating the support from his community, a group of herders brought in a couple of goat kids. Groups of artistes highlighted the situation in the State through their performances.
Public representatives, businessmen, men and women representing various communities and organisations voiced their concern over lack of financial support for the State. Mr. Naidu stayed alert throughout the protest, not even taking a nap.
A majority of the visitors, mobilised by the administration in RTC buses, were from villages and towns in Krishna, Guntur and other nearby districts.
“We know Mr. Naidu does only right things for us and the State. We are ready to support him in this fight against the Central government for SCS. The Central government will feel the heat of farmers if it doesn’t honour its commitments to the fledgling State,” R. Anjaiah, a farmer from Tenali said speaking to The Hindu .
‘Now or never’
There were also people who came voluntarily to know why SCS is important and closely observe the campaign taken up by Mr. Naidu on the lines of the one by TDP founder N.T. Rama Rao against the Centre in the past. “We never got an opportunity to see him in person. Today, I waved at him and he responded,” Rama Krishna of Ibrahimpatnam said.
“I have also realised why it is important to mount pressure on the Central government before elections. If we do not raise our voice, we will be ignored,” he added.
While the temperature hit a maximum of 40.2 ° Celsius, availability of plenty of water and buttermilk and air coolers helped many cope with the hot weather.
In a relief to the participants, the weather cooled down in the evening.
