New Delhi: CPI national secretary Suravaram Sudhakar Reddy found fault with the government for arresting YSR Congress Party leaders who were participating in today's statewide bandh. He demanded that Special Category Status (SCS) be accorded by the Centre to Andhra Pradesh. Speaking to Sakshi TV here today, he recalled that on earlier occasions also, TDP opposed bandhs that were held in demand for SCS. Similarly, even now, the TDP was opposing the bandh call given by YSRCP, he said and added that if the government was sincere it should support the bandh and stop arrests.

The CPI secretary accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu of trying to convince people that Special Package was much better than SCS. Later, realising the sentiment of the people, the AP CM took a u turn and started saying that SCS was much better. He said the AP CM was worried that the relentless fight for SCS by YSRCP and Left parties was receiving people's support. Resignations were party decisions, but it would have been much better if YSRCP was part of the no-trust vote debate in Parliament, he added.

He criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for coming up with an unsatisfactory reply which never tried to make any mention that was in right spirit for AP. His speech also did not address the injustice done to AP or rectify it. AP has faced severe loss after state bifurcation, he said.

Suravam said 90 per cent of the people in the state were demanding SCS. Chandrababu was chanting SCS only for votes and it was the AP CM who diluted the fight for SCS, he added.

Also Read: Unfair To Suppress The SCS Fight: CPM Madhu