Samaikyandhra activists on Sunday staged a demonstration and submitted a memoranda to AICC general secretary in charge of Andhra Pradesh Digvijay Singh.
They lined up at the old terminal of the airport when Mr. Singh arrived in the evening and demonstrated with placards like “Don’t divide the State” and “We want united AP.” Mr. Singh was here to participate in a private programme.
Samaikyandhra Students JAC recalled that the first meeting of Andhras at Bapatla in 1913 resolved that the Telugus should stay united and opposed any decision to split the State 100 years after that resolution.
They expressed the apprehension that Rayalaseema and Coastal areas would face water and power problems and would slip into backwardness with lands turning into desert. Small states would also lead to problems of Naxalism, JAC State convener D.V. Krishna Yadav and others said in a statement.
Samaikyandhra JAC convener Adari Kishore Kumar said he had represented to Mr. Digvijay Singh not to divide the State after several committees set up had not decided on Telangana. Some supporters of MP T.Subbarami Reddy also carried placards opposing the division.
Mr. Singh who was supposed to leave for Hyderabad according to the schedule was staying back. Samaikyandhra protagonist and Minister for Investment and Infrastructure Ganta Srinivasa Rao would meet him at night. Primary Education Minister S. Sailajanath and former minister Gade Venkata Reddy, known for pro-united State stance also met him at the airport.
