Naidu sits on one-day fast

Reminding the Centre of its responsibility to help the residual state of Andhra Pradesh till it is developed to be at par other southern states, Chief Minister and Telugu Desam Party president Nara Chandrababu Naidu sat on a one-day hunger strike at the Indira Gandhi stadium in Vijayawada on Friday.

Incidentally, Naidu turned 68 years old on the day he undertook the 'Dharma Porata Deeksha' to highlight the stepmotherly treatment meted out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In an open letter written to the people of the state, Naidu said he wanted everyone to support his protest against the indifferent attitude of the Centre.

"The 14th finance commission never said that Andhra Pradesh is not eligible for Special Category Status (SCS). If the Centre can doll out special assistance to several other states, why not for Andhra Pradesh?" Naidu said.

Naidu's fast started at 7 am in the morning and was completed at 7 pm.