Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Aug 16 (IANS) Hundreds of people led by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president N. Chandrababu Naidu marched in Hyderabad Tuesday to protest Anna Hazare’s arrest in Delhi while rallies and fasts began in other parts of Andhra Pradesh in support of the social activist.

Holding the national flag, Naidu led the massive rally from NTR Trust Bhavan, the TDP headquarters, to Tank Bund in the heart of the city. TDP leaders, legislators, hundreds of activists and others covered a distance of 10 km on foot.

The TDP leaders kept aside their party flag and instead marched under the national flag so that people from all walks of life and various groups also join in the protest.

“This is the biggest-ever and spontaneous protest against corruption,” said TDP leader S. Chandramohan Reddy.

The protesters demanded immediate release of Anna Hazare and his supporters. They raised slogans of “Down with government” and “Bring Jan Lokpal bill”.

The protest threw traffic out of gear in busy areas like Punjagutta, Khairatabad, Secretariat and Tank Bund.

Naidu and others later staged a sit-in at Ambedkar statue on Tank Bund, which joins the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

Students and activists participated in another rally taken out by India Against Corruption, Hyderabad chapter, at Indira Park. “Government has to pay attention now,” read a placard held by the participants.

Some activists also launched a three-day fast at Indira Park to express solidarity with Hazare.

Rallies and fasts are also being held in Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram, Nizamabad and other towns.

Students in Visakhapatnam came out on streets, condemning the arrest of Hazare and his supporters. Members of civil society launched a relay fast in Vijayawada.

Condemning Hazare’s arrest, NGO Lok Satta president and legislator Jayaprakash Narayan said the government through its action had lost the people’s support. He told reporters in Ongole that people should peacefully protest against the arrest.