Frequent bandhs leave a dent on brand Andhra

Hyderabad: Hunger strikes, dharnas, damaged public property, shops vandalised – one month of tension has cost Hyderabad Rs 15 crore. Andhra tourism has reportedly suffered Rs 1 crore loss in the festive season. With things refusing to look up, industrialists in the tech city are a worried lot.

“Brand Hyderabad has been built very assiduously over the last so many years. And if it is damaged now with this political uncertainty then it will be very difficult for us to start all over again,” General Secretary of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Rajeshwar Rao said.

“IT sector, tourism and export and import have been hit by the agitations. After holding talks with representatives of CII, FAPCCI, the state government has decided that special forces will be created for the protection of industries,” Chief Minister K Rosaiah said.

“We all collectively need to see to it that the state's progress is not hampered,” Rosaiah added.

Residents of Hyderabad are also weary of politicians holding public life to ransom.

“We all are suffering because of so many bandhs. If they want to protest they can do so peacefully,” a resident said.

While another resident who runs a business said, “I have already suffered a loss of Rs 15,000 in my business. How long will this continue? It's New Year time. All party plans have gone for a toss.”

Meanwhile, politicians seem to be turning a deaf ear to the common man's plight. Every party is quick to call a bandh every time it wants to be heard in Delhi.

Student and employee joint action committees have asked supporters to boycott New Year celebrations. The police though warn them from marring the revelry. In all, it seems like Andhra Pradesh will be ringing in the New Year amidst the din of political uncertainty.

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#political crisis #K Rosaiah #Hyderabad #Andhra Pradesh