File photo of protests in Andhra Pradesh against bifurcation of state
Thousands of Andhra Pradesh government employees from the Seemandhra region protesting the move to bifurcate the state have called off their two-month-long strike after talks with Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy this evening.
These employees in the 13 districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema, collectively called Seemandhra, had been on strike since August 12, 13 days after the ruling Congress endorsed a decision to carve a separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh.
Workers from the power sector, teachers and transport employees had called off their agitation recently, bringing some normalcy to Seemandhra.
The strike by power sector employees had left large parts of the state without power and crippled hospitals, train services and even airports. Several employees returned to work to tackle the emergency evacuations and relief work when the state was facing the cyclone Phailin last weekend.
A section of the workers, however, had refused to call off their strike without an assurance from the Chief Minister that the interests of Seemandhra would be protected.
YSR Congresss Chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has accused the ruling Congress of green-lighting state status for Telangana so that the region votes overwhelmingly in its favour in the approaching national election next year.
Mr Reddy is likely to hold a rally next weekend to champion a "United Andhra" and repeat his objections to the bifurcation of his home state.
Congress leaders like Union Minister D Purandeswari and State Minister P Balaraju said they would strive for protecting the interests of Seemandhra, while many other leaders said they would continue their efforts for keeping Andhra Pradesh united.