The battle for a separate state is expected to get uglier in Andhra Pradesh with pro-Telangana activists planning a power shutdown in Hyderabad next week.
The Telangana Rashtra Samiti, which is leading the agitation, has been meeting with electricity board officials to plan the shutdown.
According to TRS general secretary Subhash Reddy, there will be a power cut in Hyderabad next week onwards. This is one of the many protests before a rail roko movement starts from September 24.
Electricity board officials from Telangana region will hold a meeting on Tuesday to chalk out this programme. But the entire Telanagana region will not suffer a power black-out as it will be confined only to Hyderabad.
"We have decided not to implement this programme in the rest of Telangana since this could affect the lives of farmers. They need electricity to earn their livelihoods and we do not want that to get affected," said Reddy.
He added that their next plan is to urge auto-rickshaw drivers to stay off the roads and continue with such protests till the Centre takes a decision on the issue.
Speaking on the possibility of a tie-up with the Congress, Reddy said that it was not on the cards right now and was unlikely till the Telangana bill is passed in Parliament.
He added that the TRS would not lose its stronghold if the Congress decided in favour of a separate state, as the supporters of Telangana knew which outfit had spearheaded the movement. He also rubbished claims that the TRS was cozying up to Jaganmohan Reddy.
"It is clear that he will support only a unified Andhra Pradesh. There is no question of us getting closer to him," he said.
