Protests over the UPA decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh continue in Seemandhra region. Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, President of YSR Congress Party launched indefinite fast at Chanchalguda Jail here, opposing the division of the State.

Protests erupted in the region hours after the Congress Working Committee’s decision to divide the State 26 days ago.

Jaganmohan Reddy, who is facing quid pro allegations, has been in the high-security jail for 15 months serving judicial remand. He is facing a slew of charges that are being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation. It was alleged that he gained financial benefits by getting sanctions and concessions to corporates during the regime of his father Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Sixteen of his party’s MLAs had resigned a day before the Congress Working Committee announced its decision to carve out the Telangana State.

Meanwhile, tense situation prevailed at the AP NGO’s Office in the State capital as lawyers who were supporting and opposing the bifurcation groups clashed.

The Communist Party of India (CPI), which supported the formation of Telangana, said fears of water allocation had led to the demand for inclusion of the four districts of Rayalaseema in the proposed new State. The party said the State should ensure proper allocation of water to all the three regions.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

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