CPI state secretary K.Ramakrishna and Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samiti gave a clarion call to observe "black day" today to protest the Centre’s failure to accord Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh. On this issue, the samiti issued a statement on Monday about cutting off power from 7pm to 7.30m across the state.

The CPI expressed its disappointment over Narendra Modi government for failing to fulfill the promises made to the state at the time of bifurcation. “For the past four years we have been raising the issue of SCS and staged various dharnas to draw the attention of the centre but it has remained a mute spectator,” says CPI leader. They also demanded to know why the centre has been granting funds to other states while ignoring AP?

Meanwhile, YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has extended his party's support to CPI, CPI-M, Congress, Jana Sena and Pratyeka Hoda Sadhana Samiti’s black day observance in the state today. The YSRCP chief directed his partymen and others to lend their support. He also called his party leaders and workers to create awareness among people to make successful.

On the other side, YSRCP leaders are all set to hold a meeting today in Visakhapatnam to discuss strategy for the Betrayal Day (decepion day) to be observed across AP on April 30. It may be recalled that in a meeting convened by YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, it was decided that they intensify their fight for Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.