Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu began his day-long fast on Friday, demanding Special Category Status to the state. The fast coincided with Naidu’s birthday.
The hunger strike titled ‘Dharma Porata Deeksha’ ot ‘Fight for Justice’ will continue from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.
Simultaneous hunger strikes were organised in other districts by ministers in Naidu’s cabinet.
The Special Category status demand had led to a verbal spat between Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and BJP, with the former alleging that the Centre has ignored their demand.
In fact, the issue had resulted in TDP calling it quits with the NDA last month.
If a state comes under ‘Special Category,’ the Centre has to pay 90 per cent of the funds in centrally-sponsored schemes, unlike 60 per cent in case of other states.
