Will intensify agitation for SCS, asserts Pawan Kalyan

Leaders of the Jana Sena Party (JSP), the CPI, and the CPI(M) have blamed the State and Central governments, and the YSR Congress Party for failing to render justice to the State post bifurcation.

They took out a padayatra on the National Highway, from Benz Circle to Ramavarappadu Ring Road, on Friday demanding that Special Category Status (SCS) be accorded to Andhra Pradesh.

Hundreds of activists of the JSP and the Left parties, carrying party flags, raised slogans urging the Centre to implement the promises made at the time of bifurcation of the State.

JSP president Pawan Kalyan flagged off the padayatra at Benz Circle. CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna and CPI (M) State secretary P. Madhu were among those who participated.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said the JSP would rope in other parties and intensify the agitation for achieving SCS.

Criticising the ruling parties at the State and Central levels, and the YSRCP, Mr. Pawan said the JSP would launch an uncompromising fight against the parties that “deceived the people.”

“We have organised the padayatra to express our concern over delay in granting SCS. I will observe fast for the purpose with commitment,” Mr. Pawan said.

Mr. Ramakrishna and Mr. Madhu said the TDP, the BJP and the YSRCP failed to do justice to the people, and assured to launch a fight for achieving SCS and other benefits.

Earlier, before joining the padayatra, Mr. Pawan Kalyan garlanded the statue of B.R. Ambedkar at Tummalapalli Kala Kshetram.

Traffic disrupted

Police tried in vain to divert the padayatra onto the service road, but the protesters continued the walk on the highway.

Traffic was blocked for about one hour on the highway due to the padayatra and the roadside meeting en route.