Andhra MP arrested again, launches fast

Hyderabad, Dec 14 : Congress MP from Vijayawada L. Rajagopal was arrested by the police for the second time Monday as he tried to sit on a hunger strike to oppose the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh for a Telangana state.

Tension prevailed at Falaknuma police station Monday night as the MP launched the hunger strike in custody while activists of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) gathered outside the police station raising slogans "Rajagopal go back".

Earlier, the MP was arrested at Lal Bahadur Stadium in the heart of the city when he tried to launch a hunger strike.

Rajagopal, who was arrested by police at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the city outskirts Monday morning soon after he landed and was later released, walked up to the stadium from the state assembly where he attended a meeting of party legislators from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

Accompanied by six legislators and few supporters and holding the national flag, he sat in the stadium and said he was ready for a public debate on the proposed division of the state. Police also arrested the legislators but later released them.

The MP was taken to Falaknuma police station in the old city where he launched the fast in custody. Police used force to disperse BJP workers who gathered outside the police station to protest against Rajagopal.

Inspector General of Police A. R. Anuradha told reporters that Rajagopal was taken into custody as he, along with his supporters, tried to march on foot to the assembly. "Since there was an apprehension of a law and order problem, he was taken into custody," she said.

The industrialist, whose Lanco group of companies has huge business interests in Hyderabad, is against the central government's decision to give separate statehood to Telangana region, which comprises 10 districts including Hyderabad.

He had earlier announced his plans to go on a fast at the state assembly while the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS), student bodies and Congress leaders from Telangana region had threatened to stop him from doing so.

Rajagopal, who was later released, met Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, who advised him not to precipitate matters by going on a fast.

The MP, who has already sent his resignation to the Lok Sabha speaker, said he would not allow the state's division as this would weaken the state of Telugus and affect its bargaining power at the centre.