TDP president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu is on a day-long hunger strike in Delhi today demanding special status for his state and fulfillment of commitments made by the Centre under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.
The Telugu Desam Party had walked out the BJP-led NDA in 2018 after protesting against the injustice done towards Andhra Pradesh after its bifurcation.
He has staged the 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' (a day-long protest for justice) at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in the from 8 am to 8 pm. He will also submit a memorandum to President of India Ram Nath Kovind on 12 February.
The CM is on a hunger strike along with his ministers, party MLAs, MLCs, and MPs. Members of state employee associations, social organizations.
He is scheduled to pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and also to the Ambedkar Statue at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan before the strike. Leader of other Opposition parties are expected to extend their solidarity to the Andhra Pradesh chief minister's protest.
Naidu had previously observed an indefinite fast at the Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in October 2013. Back then he had demanded that if a separate state is carved out of then unified Andhra Pradesh, both should get equal justice. However, he was forcibly shifted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital the fifth day after his health deteriorated.
Last year, the CM had observed a fast Vijayawada on his birthday on April 20 demanding special status for the state.
After quitting the NDA in March last year, TDP had also moved a 'no-confidence motion' in the Monsoon session of Parliament in July 2018, which was defeated.