The Left parties in Andhra Pradesh backed by the ruling Telugu Desam Party, YSR Congress among other parties have called for a state-wide bandh today.

The bandh is being imposed to protest against the injustice meted out to the state in the BJP-led NDA's Union Budget 2018-19.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), an ally NDA, continued its protest in Parliament. The party MPs raised slogans during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech, demanding justice for the state.

TDP MPs protest in Parliament demanding special package for #AndhraPradesh pic.twitter.com/Z3j5ovdThK ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2018

Earlier, TDP president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked his party MPs to continue the protest till a categorical announcement from the Centre.

Though Union Ministers Rajnath Singh and Ananth Kumar spoke to Naidu over phone, urging to advise his MPs to cooperate during the Prime Minister's speech, Naidu made it clear that the protest will continue, TDP sources said.

Actor-politician Pawan Kalyan recalled that at the time of the state's bifurcation, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced in Parliament that special category status will be accorded to Andhra Pradesh.

Pawan said he had hoped that this commitment will be fulfilled after Narendra Modi formed the government at the Centre but this did not happen.

WHO ALL ARE PART OF THE PROTEST?

The Communist Party of India (CPI), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and several other smaller parties have called for the shutdown. YSR Congress and Congress have backed the call for shutdown.



TDP has also called for protests across the state to express solidarity with its MPs, who have been trying to stall the proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament to demand justice to the state.

Actor-turned-politician Kalyan added that the movement to get justice for Andhra Pradesh should be on the lines of the movement for separate Telangana state.

The Jana Sena party chief remarked that two placards and four slogans will of no use.

More than 1300 APS RTC buses stopped in Visakhapatnam during bandh called by Left parties in protest against #UnionBudget2018 #AndhraPradesh ANI (@ANI) February 8, 2018

SECURITY MEASURES

Security in the state has been tightened in wake of the protests. Police have made elaborate arrangements to prevent any untoward incident.

The government has declared a holiday for schools and colleges as a precautionary measure.

Director General of Police M. Malakondaiah has directed Superintendents of Police in all districts to take all measures to maintain law and order.

He added that additional forces will be deployed in sensitive areas.

Around 5000 buses of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation are off roads today, leaving hundreds of dependent passengers stranded.

(With inputs from IANS)

WATCH | Andhra Pradesh bandh: Left parties protest against Union Budget 2018