The unveiling of Telugu Talli statue by those protesting the bifurcation of the State created a tense situation at Maddilapalem here on Tuesday.
All arrangements were made for the unveiling by Minister for Investment and Infrastructure Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao who resigned to the post as well as Congress party after Lok Sabha passed the A P Reorganisation Bill 2013 by voice vote. Media men were informed about the unveiling at 5 p.m.
Agitating RTC workers who burnt the effigy of AICC president Sonia Gandhi wanted to remove the veil covering the statue and pay homage to the statue of Telugu Talli. However, police prevented them from removing the veil after much jostling and pushing.
Meanwhile, a group of women protestors from YSR Congress reached Maddilapalem and tried to climb up the ladder to unveil the statue. They were also prevented by the police. However, a woman managed to go to the rear of the statue and began pulling the veil. Police had tried to stop it but the tussle led to the veil almost coming off.
A student finally managed to pull off the veil that covered the head of the statue was taken away by the police.
An aide of the Minister later informed that owing to the latest political developments the unveiling of the statue was postponed.
Lawyers protest
Members of the bar association burnt the effigy of Sonia Gandhi at the District Courts Complex. One of the protestors repeatedly tried to jump into the flames and was prevented by the police. Another lawyer also tried the same before the flames were doused by police.
Students rally
Students of Andhra University squatted on the road at V S Krishna Library raising slogans against the bifurcation of the State.
They denounced AICC president Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Union Home Minister S K Shinde. Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy considered a votary of integrated State till now also came in for sharp criticism for not resigning and going on a file-signing spree. “Resignations are of no use now and we don’t want their resignation. They should stay back in Delhi and bring pressure on Sonia Gandhi to reverse the decision. At least now, they should form an all-party front fight against the bifurcation,” said a student.
The students took out a rally from the library to Siripuram where they formed a human chain on the arterial road stopping traffic. Research scholar Menon and others led the protest.
President of Praja Spandana and former IES officer C.S. Rao said bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh was a foregone conclusion. “As far back as in 2004, itself it was clear that the Congress was bent on bifurcation. We ignored the warnings”.
He alleged that Ms. Sonia Gandhi had developed an animosity towards Andhra. “No other leader except former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao had ruled to the satisfaction of everybody. The future of our youth seems bleak as we have dumped tons of money in Hyderabad. The damage cannot be undone in another 50 years,” he said..
Efigy burnt
An effigy of Sonia Gandhi was burnt by RTC employees owing allegiance to NMU at Maddilapalem. NMU honorary regional president P. Vishnu Kumar Raju and State additional joint secretary Y. Srinivasa Rao deplored the unilateral decision on bifurcation and described it as a ‘black day’ in the history of the nation. They wanted the people’s representatives to ensure justice to the people at least now failing which they would be taught a lesson in the next elections.
