Bandh for special tag flops in Vizag.

​Visakhapatnam: The bandh called by the YSRCP, Congress and the Left parties evoked poor response from the people here on Tuesday. Despite all the arrangements and campaign, the RTC buses and other modes of transport was not affected.

The CPM and CPI leaders, who tried to stop the buses in the early hours of Tuesday, were whisked away by the police who were present in large numbers. Similarly, the YSRCP and CPI leaders were also picked up from RTC Complex and Jagadamba Junction.

Management of private schools and government schools declared a holiday but junior, degree and professional colleges had regular attendance.

The YSRCP Students Union could close the Andhra University college partially, but it was successful in shutting down AVN College, Government Women’s College and Government Dr VS Krishna College. The police arrested the senior leaders of the students union.

The Congress leaders blamed the failure of bandh on the other parties which failed to come under a single platform. “Had all the political parties united, the bandh would have been a grand success,’’ said a senior Congress leader.

District secretary of CPM K Lokanadham condemned the arrest of the Left leaders who organised a peaceful bandh in the city. He said it was unfortunate that the ruling Telugu Desam Party instead of joining the bandh, dealt the strike with an iron hand.

“For Telugu Desam, relationship with BJP is more important than the benefits to the State,’’ Lokanadham said.

He said Chief Minister N Chandrbabu Naidu should realise that none of the projects or institutions sanctioned under the AP
Reorganisation Act were implemented so far.

Separate railway zone has been forgotten, no funds have been given to Polavaram to speed up the project and even promised funds for the development of the capital remained only on paper, he said.

Bandh passes off peacefully

Srikakulam: Bandh seeking Special Category Status to the State passed off peacefully in Srikakulam town, while it evoked mixed response across the district on Tuesday.

The main Opposition party YSRCP called for Statewide bandh in protest against the Central government for dilly-dallying in according Special Category Status to the State.

The CPM, CPI and Congress parties extended their support for bandh. All educational, commercial and private establishments remained closed first half day in Srikakulam and other municipal towns across the district.

Police took preventive measures and arrested the CPM and CPI cadres in the morning at various places in the district. The Congress party leaders and cadres took out a bike rally in Srikakulam.

RTC bus services were partially affected in the morning hours and normalcy was restored by noon across the district. YSRCP leaders R Shanthi, D Krishna Das, T Sitaram, CPM leaders Ch Tejeswara Rao, B Krishna Murthy, CPI leader Ch Sundar Lal participated in the protests.