Low turnout greeted Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the Andhra Muslim College grounds on the Ponnuru road here when she arrived to address a campaign rally Friday, apparently reflecting the anger of the people of >Seemandhra region over state’s bifurcation. It was Ms Gandhi’s first visit to Seemandhra post bifurcation.
Around 7,000 people turned up for the rally, the only one she was addressing in Seemandhra ahead of the May 7 elections.
The crowd remained indifferent and not once did it cheer during her 30-minute address.
“I don’t grudge your criticism or anger,” the Congress chief said, while taking pains to explain the reason for the state’s bifurcation, and asking the people to “look forward”.
“The state re-organisation was done in a manner that protects the interests of Seemandhra. It is done in full fairness to Seemandhra,” she stressed, and listed out the various provisions in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act-2014 that would address the needs of the region.
Published - May 02, 2014 08:08 pm IST
