Mr Reddy's party is expecting a massive turnout for the protest fast from the other two regions of the state, Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra Pradesh, jointly known as "Seemandhra".
"I appeal to everybody, the entire country, to come and protest against this injustice," Mr Reddy said in a press conference yesterday. (Watch)
According to sources, the 40-year-old leader's fast will continue till a huge public rally he is planning in Hyderabad on October 18.
As protests were being held almost throughout the 13 districts of Seemandhra yesterday, Mr Reddy asked why the decision on Telangana cannot be reversed; after all, he said, the government has just withdrawn a controversial executive order that allowed MPs convicted in criminal cases to remain in office. (Read 10 latest developments)
Mr Reddy heads the YSR Congress, founded and named after his father and former chief minister YSR Reddy, who died in a helicopter crash in 2009. When he was not chosen to replace his father as chief minister, Mr Reddy exited the Congress. He was recently released on bail after spending 16 months in prison on corruption charges.
Like other leaders who have censured the centre for dividing Andhra Pradesh, Mr Reddy alleged that the government's decision is motivated entirely by the approaching national elections. After the split, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh will have 21 parliamentary seats each. The Congress is likely to be rewarded heavily in Telangana for making it a state. The bifurcation is also expected to help the party to check the potential of Mr Reddy and other parties.
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