Large groups protesting against the government's decision to proceed with the division of Andhra Pradesh blocked all roads to Tirumala temple.
All roads to Tirupati are blocked by large groups protesting against the government's decision to proceed with the division of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees heading to the famous Tirumala temple are completing their journey by foot.
Last night, the cabinet met in Delhi at the Prime Minister's residence and cleared the blueprint for the carving out of the Telangana region as India's 29th state. For nearly two months, the other two regions of Andhra Pradesh- Rayalseema and Coastal Andhra, jointly referred to as "Seemandhra" - have been witnessing daily demonstrations by those who demand a "United Andhra." (
Cabinet nod to Telangana triggers resignation threats, protests, bandhs in Andhra Pradesh)
The green-light by the cabinet last evening has provoked the resignation of Tourism Minister Chiranjeevi; the Congress party, which is in power in Andhra Pradesh, is bracing for resignations from its own leaders.(
Chiranjeevi quits over Telangana)
Tirupati lies in the Rayalseema area.
In Seemandhra, major highways are being blocked today; schools and colleges are closed.
But in Telangana, there are celebrations for a movement that began decades ago demanding statehood.
Hyderabad, the prosperous IT city located in Telangana, has been assigned as a shared capital for 10 years for the old and new states, after which it will belong to Telangana. The loss of its booming economy is one of the core concerns of leaders from Seemandhra.