Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu came under fire from YSR Congress leaders for their alleged “tacit support” to the bifurcation of the State.
In the presence of a very large gathering at Lal Bahadur stadium, christened ‘Burugula Ramakrishna Rao pranganam’, Mr. Jagan and his party leaders launched a no-hold barred attack on the TDP and the Congress leadership. Braving inclement weather and heavy rain, a steady stream of people from Seemandhra poured into the stadium and heard the speeches from outside as the stadium was full.
Large LED screens were installed outside for people to watch the proceedings while an aerial remote controlled video camera hovered over the stadium to beam live images. There was thunderous applause and slogan shouting as soon as Mr. Jagan entered the stadium at 3 p.m. and waved to the crowd in his trademark folded hands.
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Through the meeting, the YSRC leader tried to drive home his point that it was the only party in support of united AP. Twice during the four-hour-long programme, Telangana protagonists raised slogans and were promptly whisked away
In his speech Mr Jagan singled out the Chief Minister for his ‘blatant lies’ on bifurcation and Mr. Naidu for seeking packages for Seemandhra – instead of quitting their posts to voice the aspirations of the people. He referred to the reduced releases from Krishna from Karnataka and Maharashtra and predicted that formation of a new State would compound the woes of Seemandhra people.
“There are of course, tribunals in place. What is the use? Are the upper riparian States following the awards and releasing water in time?” Mr. Jaganmohan Reddy said.
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Nellore MP Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy and former Minister Konathala Ramakrishna accused Mr. Naidu of directly supporting bifurcation of the State and pressurising the Centre to expedite the process.
He was critical of the Centre for not following the democratic norms and processes like the ones adopted during the division of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
YSRC Deputy leader Shoba Nagi Reddy demanded that the Assembly be convened immediately and a resolution passed against division. Dadi Veerabhadra Rao said if the State was united, a strong leadership would emerge. Former Minister Pilli Subash Chandra Bose said division of State would halt Polavaram project. Former Minister P. Viswaroop, Nandyal MP S. P. Y. Reddy, Gattu Ramachandra Rao, M. A. Rahman spoke.