Normal life was disrupted in all 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday with business establishments, shops and educational institutions remaining closed in response to a “shut down” call given by the opposition YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) to protest against the delay in according special status to the residuary state.
Commuters had a harrowing time with the state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) keeping bus services off the roads during the day. The shut down call was also supported by the Left parties, students’ unions and employees’ organisations.
YSRCP workers took to the streets to enforce the shut down. Former ministers Parthasarathi, Vijay Sai Reddy and Vangaveeti Radha, among others, were taken into custody when they tried to disrupt traffic.
Leader of the opposition and YSRCP president YS Jaganmohan Reddy said the TDP government had failed to get special status for the state despite being an alliance partner of the NDA at the Centre.
“The Centre should immediately fulfill the commitment as the delay in doing so had already led to loss of precious lives,” he said, pointing out that three persons had committed suicide over the issue.