Wear black badge, work one extra hour to show protest: CM Chandrababu Naidu tells Andhra Pradesh assembly

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday asked Andhra Pradesh assembly members to go on a 'constructive agitation' against the Centre's decision to not give special status to the state. "We are going on constructive agitation. From today until April 6, everybody in the state should wear a black badge, work one extra hour and show their protest," Naidu said while speaking in the state assembly.

Naidu had on Tuesday convened an all-party meeting to discuss the next course of action for securing the state's rights under the AP Reorganisation Act,2014. However, the principal opposition party YSR Congress and BJP maintained a distance. "BJP, YSRCP and Jana Sena Party not attending the all-party meeting exposes their true colors," Naidu said.

Earlier in the day, Naidu had said that his party will not make any compromise with state's interest and they would not step back on protecting people's rights. While addressing Telegu Desam Party (TDP) MPs via teleconference, the Naidu also said that he is willing to bear any insult for the sake of people and the state. "I am willing to bear any insult for the sake of people and the state," he said.

He cried foul over Centre "counter-attacking" them instead of giving justice. "Even though MPs displayed their strength by showing blue coloured number signs for admitting No-Confidence motion, it is very undemocratic to adjourn the House like this. I am asking for the justice. Instead of doing that, the Centre and the Bharatiya Janata Party are counter-attacking us," Naidu said.

The TDP president also demanded that the Centre must fulfil 19 aspects in AP Reorganisation Act and assurances made in Rajya Sabha including Special Category Status. "It is a fight concerning 5 crore people of Andhra Pradesh. It is linked to sentiments of AP people. I have faced several problems in my life and overcame them efficiently. It was Telugu Desam Party which got Sarkaria Commission's recommendations implemented. TDP redefined centre-state relations," the CM added.