Andhra Pradesh - Tirupati   

Naidu's fast: TDP cadre breaks 101 coconuts

Photo: K.V. Poornachandra Kumar

Show of strength: TDP leaders extending their support to ex-MLC Putha Narasimha Reddy, city president Balakrishna Yadav and others on their indefinite hunger strike in Kadapa on Sunday. (Right) TDP leaders breaking coconuts at Alipiri in Tirupati on Sunday for the health of their fasting leader N. Chandrababu Naidu. -

TIRUPATI: Telugu Desam functionaries at Tirupati have given a sentimental touch to the indefinite fast which their party president N. Chandrababu Naidu is currently through for the last three days amid reports of his deteriorating health condition.

Party cadres gathered in large numbers at Alipiri, the foot of the Seven Hills on Sunday morning and broke as many as 101 coconuts on the flight of steps leading to the hill temple of Lord Venkateswara. They prayed to the Lord not only wishing well for their leader but also to seek divine intervention to make wisdom dawn on those at the helm of affairs in the government to announce the relief package to the farmers, which Naidu has been demanding.

They also lit camphor in front of the Padala Mandapam and paid their obeisance to the deity inside, invoking His blessings to Naidu to get well soon and also to emerge successful in the rigorous fast he has embarked upon for the cause of the rain-hit farmers of the State.

Meanwhile reports are coming in about the TDP cadres continuing their dharnas and relay fasts for the third consecutive day on Sunday through out the district, expressing solidarity with Chandrababu Naidu's indefinite fast.

Party leaders addressing the demonstrators who comprised a large number of farmers as well, lashed at N. Kiran Kumar Reddy government and the UPA-led Central government for their indifferent attitude towards the genuine grievances of the farmers who were left high and dry having lost their standing crops due to the recent successive cyclones and torrential rains.

The TDP activists warned that the State and the Central governments would be squarely responsible for any consequences in the wake of Chandrababu Naidu's indefinite fast for farmers' sake and governments' callousness towards it.

Stage rasta roko

Nellore Staff Reporter writes: Extending support to fasting TDP State president N. Chandrababu Naidu at Hyderabad, leaders of the party observed relay fasts at Gandhi Statue on Sunday.

The protestors raised slogans demanding the government to solve the farmers's problems in the State. While the opposition parties were doing agitations on agrarian problems, the Congress party is trying to divert the issue on the name of politics, they alleged. Later, they staged a rasta roko on trunk road due to which traffic was jammed on the main road.

TDP protest continues

Kurnool Special Correspondent writes: The relay fast by TDP leaders in support of their leader N. Chandrababu Naidu continued here on Sunday. Ten members of the party took part in the relay fast till evening.

As part of the protest, a delegation of TDP leaders led by district president Somisetty Venkateswarlu presented a memorandum to a boulder drawing a symbolical parallel between Chief Minister and his alleged stony attitude.

Mr. Venkateswarlu said while Telangana issue and farmers' problems were rocking the State, the Chief Minister hopped to New Delhi to attend the plenary of the Congress party. He said lack of experience of the Chief Minister was clearly visible in his reaction. He said the people of the State were regretting for electing the Congress government for the second time. The day of people teaching a bitter lesson to the Congress party was not too far, he said. Mr. Rambhupal Choudary was likely to take part in the relay fast on Monday. Party leaders Tirupal Babu, Parwez, Chakrapani and Ramakrishna were present.

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