Rallies throw life out of gear

Indefinite fast by Minister Thota’s wife enters third day

Rajahmundry: Hundreds of Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) workers took out massive rallies in support of Samaikyandhra here in East Godavari district on Monday. Normal life was paralysed as medical shops, petrol bunks, shops and school remained closed.

Meanwhile, the fast-unto -death taken up by Thota Vani wife of Thota Narasimham entered the third day at Kakinada. She is getting support from all sections of the people. Though she is feeling tired, she made it clear that she will not end the fast.
In Rajahmundry, thousands of Congress workers gathered at Subrahmanya Maidan near Godavari railway station on Monday to participate in ‘Samaikhya Bheri’ rally organised by APIIC former Chairman S Sivarama Subrahmanyam.

Tri-colour Congress flags banners and placards against bifurcation of State and supporting united Andhra were displayed by the workers. Mr Sivarama Subrahmanyam beat a huge drum to kick start the rally followed by traditional dances by troupes. The rally went through different parts of the city including Devi Chowk, Kambala Tank, Jampeta, Delux Center, Kotipalli Bus stand, Alcot Gardens, Main Road, Kotagummam and reached Subrahmanya Maidan.

The TDP workers took out scooter and bike rallies from Subrahmanya Maidan. The entire ground turned yellow as thousands of TDP workers carrying huge flags and banners participated in the rally. Former minister and TDP senior leader Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary, party district president and MLC N Chinnarajappa, MLAs Pendurthi Venkatesh, Chandana Ramesh, State organising secretary Ganni Krishna, city president Vasireddy Rambabu, Koneru Vivek, former Mayor MS Chakravarthi, former minister Gollapalli Surya Rao and former corporators Parimi Vasu, Varre Srinivasa Rao and others participated.

Meanwhile, EPDCL employees took out rally from AP Transco office at Godavari bund. Electricity Employees’ JAC leaders Johnson and PV Ravi Kumar led the rally and Vikranth, an employee of the Transco tonsured his head, protesting against bifurcation of the State.

Patients, particularly from rural areas faced difficulties on Monday as Chemists and Druggists Association closed down their shops completely in support of united Andhra. They took out a rally from Kotagummam led by Balabhadraraju, Kotha Chalapathi Rao and others.

ICDS women also expressed solidarity for Samikyandhra on Monday and a meeting of a large number of ICDS workers was addressed by JAC leaders. Rajahmundry Mini Vehicle Owners Association took out rally with their vehicles leading to traffic jam on Godavari bund and also at Kotipalli bus stand for more than half an hour at each point, which obstructed free flow of vehicles between Rajahmundry and Kovvuru.