Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu began his 'dawn-to- dusk fast', christened as “Dharma Porata Deeksha” in the IGM stadium here on Friday in protest against the Centre for not granting Special Category Status (SCS) to the state.
The Chief Minister garlanded the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi, TDP founder N T Rama Rao, DR.B R Ambedkar and freedom fighter Potti Sriramulu on the dais before he embarked on the fast.
Priests of Kanaka Durga temple and religion heads blessed him before he began his fast, coinciding with his birthday today.
The Chief Minister was seen wearing a black badge in protest against the Centre’s attitude.
A host of Ministers, including Chandrababu Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh, Devineni Umamaheswara Rao, Kollu Ravindra, N Ananda Babu, MPs and MLAs were also observing fast along with Mr Naidu.
The 'Darma Porata Deeksha' venue is full with activists, students and women.
The 'Darma porata Deeksha' fasts was also being observed by Ministers and activists in all the 175 Assembly constituencies across the state. (UNI)