Telugu Desam Party launches bus yatra seeking unified Andhra

Intensifying their agitation against Centre's move on Telangana, the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) launched a 'bus yatra' today while Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) leader Chiranjeevi began a campaign, pressing for a united Andhra Pradesh.

The eleven-day bus yatra kicked off by TDP in Tirupati would traverse across Rayalaseema, coastal Andhra regions and Srikakulam, seeking support for a unified state.

"We will meet various sections of the society during the tour and raise awareness on the need for a united Andhra Pradesh. We will expose how Sonia Gandhi decided to cut the state into pieces like a cake on her birthday," senior TDP MLA G Muddukrishnam Naidu said in Tirupathi.        

Chiranjeevi also reached his assembly constituency Tirupati and decided to conduct a campaign, informing people about the benefits of staying united.

Meanwhile, the fast-unto-death launched by Congress MP Lagadapati Rajagopal in Vijayawada entered the fifth day while TDP MLA D Umamaheswar Rao remained in the hospital, where he was forcibly shifted by the police yesterday. In Kadapa, congress MLC YS Vivekananda Reddy, brother of late YS Rajasekhara Reddy continued his fast on the fourth day today, in support of united Andhra Pradesh.

His wife YS Sowbhagyamma and three MLAs joined him in the fast yesterday.

Rallies, road blockades and other forms of protests continued across the Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions.