SRPV plunges into stir, extends support to APNGOs

• Plans massive rally in support of united Andhra Pradesh
• Calls IT staff, residents’ associations to join the movement

Hyderabad: Throwing their weight behind APNGOs, representatives of voluntary organisations, political parties and advocates held a meeting to chalk out their future course on Sunday. This meeting, which was held under the banner of newly launched Samaikya Rastra Parirakshana Vedika (SRVP) focused on giving direction to the ongoing agitation, which will be organising a public meeting right in Hyderabad, the bone of contention for the people of the two regions. Besides garnering support from politicians and employees, the next step would be to invite the IT employees and Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs). The time and date for the meeting in the Capital will be announced shortly.

Speaking to media, Congress leader Tulasi Reddy held that it was not just people from Seemandhra who were against bifurcation, but scores in Telangana were against this decision. “Those who are seeking Samaikyandhra exist not only in 13 districts, but also in Hyderabad and remaining nine districts of Telangana. This platform would help in bringing out their collective concerns”, he said. He said that there was need to send strong message to the political parties, particularly the Congress and Central leadership that people in all the 23 districts of the state were in support of the unified AP. According to him, the movement has already got support from advocates, while meetings are being held with IT employees. He hoped that representatives from various colonies in city would be joining the agitation programme in the coming days.

The president of APNGOs, P Ashok Babu expressed happiness that teachers from across Seemandhra would be part of the stir from August 22. Welcoming people without political affiliations, he said that leaders from Congress and TDP were voluntarily taking part in the agitation.

Challenging the invoking of ESMA by the government, he said that GO 177 and ESMA would not deter their intensions. “How many would be put behind bars. About 4.5 lakh teachers from Seemandhra would be part of this agitation. There is no dearth of leadership, the agitation will only get intensified if Government acts tough”, he cautioned. TDP leader Payyavula Keshav, who hails from Anantapur, the hotbed of agitation, felt that it was high-time that political leaders come openly to extend support to the ongoing agitation.

V Laxmana Reddy, convenor, SRVP, said that if the MPs and MLAs did not resign people would not vote them in the next elections. He said that as every other organisation was part of this agitation, a huge public meeting would be held in Hyderabad shortly. As part of his contribution to the ongoing agitation, Ghazal Srinivas, with the help of several artistes, would be organising a day’s camp for musicians and singers in Sabita Women’s Junior College in Palakollu on August 27. The camp would be attended by about 400 artists.

J Ravi Shankar, Advocate, High Court, recalled that lawyers were always in the forefront of the struggle, be it was independence or later unification of the state. “Hundreds of employees working for courts are joining the struggle”, he said. He questioned as to how the government can invoke ESMA. “It will only worsen the crisis, thereby pushing the state of affairs under Governor’s rule”, he added.