"Save Andhra Pradesh" Meeting At L B Stadium

The "Save Andhra Pradesh" meeting by the AP Non-Gazetted Officers (APNGOs) today, is on at L B Stadium, with the stadium filled to its capacity.

Government employees from various regions of Seemandhra have travelled to Hyderabad to protest the Centre's decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and create a separate state of Telangana. The call for the mammoth meet prompted Telangana activists to declare a "counter" bandh.

However, the gathering at L B Stadium is seemingly orderly, with APNGOs president Ashok Babu making an impassioned speech.

Apart from claiming that the "edokondalavadu" (Lord Venkateswara) Himself appeared in his dream and exhorted him to conduct this meeting, these are some of the things Ashok Babu said:

• There is no question of the government going ahead with the formation of a separate Telangana state.
• The APNGOs' anger is not about the people of Telangana, but about the Congress government.
• Students and employees will suffer as a result of bifurcation.
• Higher education will also suffer.
• Politicians are splitting AP for their selfish reasons.
• Everyone has a right over Hyderabad.
• AP is already beset by water problems; what will happen after bifurcation?
• We met several political parties in Delhi, and they are of the opinion that this decision on Telangana is against the wishes of the people.
• This meeting is only the beginning of the movement. If the Centre doesn't reverse its decision on Telangana, there will be a "million march" in Parade Grounds in Secunderabad very soon.
• Seemandhra ministers must resign to show their support for the cause of a united AP.
• "I am not intersted in politics."