Founder president of Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samithi Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy, on Sunday, stated that he would take up a 45-day padayatra across the Rayalaseema region, to highlight the importance of the formation of a Greater Rayalaseema state in the event of Andhra Pradesh's bifurcation.
Addressing a meeting convened at Sridhar Function Hall in Khairatabad, Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy said that the padayatra would cover 800 kms in the region and create awareness among the people over the formation of a Greater Rayalaseema state in the backdrop of the formation of a separate Telangana state.
He said that a massive convention would be organized in Anantapur district, followed by the padayatra.
Calling upon people from the region to intensify the agitation for a Greater Rayalaseema, he remarked that those who do not cooperate with the agitation may "take shelter in the Telangana region".
Byreddy called upon the people of Rayalaseema to be ready to sacrifice their lives for the cause of a separate Rayalaseema state.
He said that the present Telangana region and the capital city Hyderabad were formed only with the sacrifices of the people of Rayalaseema.
"If the government wants to take a decision on Telangana state, it should first announce its decision on backward Rayalaseema," he pointed out.
He also criticised political leaders for projecting Rayalaseema people as factionists and rowdies while ignoring the development in the region.
Stating that the people of Rayalaseema were known for their courage and sacrifices, he said the must leaders not hurt their sentiments and aspirations.
"It is the responsibility of all Rayalaseema people to protect their land, culture and interests," he said.
Alleging that the people of Rayalaseema had suffered major injustices in Andhra Pradesh, Byreddy demanded that the government complete all pending projects there, including the establishment of a Science City in Anantapur and an IT park in Madanapalle. He also demanded that the government establish a special force for Rayalaseema. (INN)