Byreddy begins 52-hour fast

• RPS chief criticises top leaders for their stoic silence
• Opposes Seema bifurcation

Hyderabad: Former TDP MLA Byreddy Rajasekhara Reddy, President of Rayalaseema Parirakshana Samiti (RPS) who has been championing the cause of separate Rayalaseema began his 52-hour fast titled 'Rayalaseema Vasula Simha Garjana' on Thursday at Indira Park opposing the proposal of Rayala Telangana. Byreddy alleged that the region was being taken for granted in resolving the Telangana issue. He said if Rayalaseema is divided it will destroy the very existence of Rayalaseema.

Talking to media before the launch of his deeksha, Byreddy said, the people of Rayalaseema felt hurt over such ideas. He expressed his disappointment and anguish over the failure of top leaders in all major parties, including Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu and YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy. He said it was the misfortune of the region that these three top most leaders had so far maintained stoic silence over the proposal. "The protest is against the inability of Rayalaseema leaders to protect the interests of the region," he said.

Byreddy said, the RPS would intensify its stir if the government makes any attempt to bifurcate Rayalaseema. Any such attempt would be like playing with fire, he warned. Rayalaseema region consists of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool districts. He said even though the region had produced big leaders, it continues to be one of the most backward regions. Byreddy said if the Centre decides to divide Andhra Pradesh then it should trifurcate the state. Rayalaseema people are not willing to be part of either Andhra or Telangana.

Asked to explain the significance of 52-hour hunger strike, he said, "There are 52 Assembly constituencies and eight Parliament segments in the region and I will protest for one hour for each constituency." he said. Byreddy called upon MPs and MLAs from the region to echo their people's voice. Explaining the need to carve separate Rayalaseema state, he said that the region is more backward when compared to Telangana or certain parts of coastal Andhra. "The well-educated youth have been taking up jobs lower than their qualifications. The region does not have irrigation projects and it is our misfortune that people have been migrating to distant locations," he added.

The deeksha has received support from students of different districts of Rayalaseema who came to the venue in large numbers in a rally. Women also joined the deeksha in the afternoon. Among others who participated in the event were RPS Soint Secretary Bhuman, Secretary Venkata Shiva Reddy, Bojja Dasharadharami Reddy, Tummadapally Vijayaraj, Tarimela Sharath Chandra Reddy and Tatipadu Mabusa.

Byreddy quit TDP in September 2012 peeved over the lukewarm response he got from Chandrababu Naidu towards his demand for separate Rayalaseema state. In April 2013, he launched a tractor yatra. Giving a break to his yatra which completed 74 days, Byreddy on Thursday took up the deeksha. He would resume the yatra from second week of July.