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Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday accused Congress of playing politics on the Telangana statehood issue as he began an indefinite hunger-strike in the national capital to protest against the Union Cabinet’s decision regarding the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

On October 3, the Union Cabinet had decided to go ahead with the process for the creation of a separate Telangana state carved out from Andhra Pradesh.

According to reports, Naidu slammed the Congress saying it was treating the Telangana issue as an internal matter. "It is not an internal matter of Congress, the issue concerns Telugu people," he maintained.

Naidu also alleged that several Congress ministers have indicated an alliance with YSR Congress. "YSR Congress will win seats in Seemandhra. It will also support the Congress after polls," he added.

He also accused Congress of releasing Jaganmohan Reddy so that he joined hands with them.

Political pundits are predicting that while Congress and TRS would gain in Telangana, Jaganmohan Reddy’s YSR Congress party could make big waves in the Seemandhra region.

Naidu, whom observers say is now fighting a political battle for survival in the state of which he was once chief minister, has also accused Congress of entering into an ’arrangement’ with TRS and YSR Congress vis-a-vis the bifurcation decision.

TDP to write to all parties

TDP has decided to write to the leaders of all parties on the statehood issue and expose the alleged ’nefarious politics’ of the Congress.

Power generation in Seemandhra hit Generation and supply of electricity was severely affected in several parts of Coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions today due to ongoing strike by employees of power utilities against the division of Andhra Pradesh.

In the wake of the stir, Railways cancelled several passenger services and the pilgrim town of Tirumala-Tirupati, where the annual ’Brahmotsavams’ were going on, was also affected, official sources said.

Power generation was severely affected at units in Vijayawada, Srisailam areas among others.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy has appealed to the striking employees of TRANSCO, GENCO and DISCOMs to resume duties immediately, an official release said.

(With PTI inputs)