MLAs, MLCs and other ministers from the Seemandhra region began a day-long fast at the Legislative Assembly premises on Tuesday, in support of a united Andhra Pradesh.
12 ministers, 29 Assembly members and 6 Council members are participating in the fast amidst tight security.
Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy told reporters, "We demand that the Centre reconsider its decision made on July 30 to carve out a separate Telangana state. This has hurt the sentiments of the people of Seemandhra. Andhra Pradesh can develop and prosper only as a united state. We will continue our efforts till the end to convince the leadership to take back its decision."
Primary Education Minister S Sailajanath said that at a time when people's protests in Seemandhra have been continuing for over a month and have intensified with every passing day, they decided to support the movement.
This is the first time that Seemandhra leaders have taken up a fast in Hyderabad to oppose the decision made by the Congress Working Committee (CWC). The police have ensured tight security arrangements at the Assembly and in the surrounding areas, to prevent any adverse happenings.
Some ministers from Seemandhra had submitted their resignations to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy last week. As the Chief Minister has not yet accepted them,
2 of the ministers called on Governor E S L Narasimhan on Monday, to submit their resignation letters. The Governor, however, told them that he would send their resignations to the Chief Minister and act as per his recommendation. (INN)