Despite their resignation from parliament and assembly last week, they could not move adamant high command for separate state, these Congress leaders began the two-day fast.

Six parliamentarians, two state ministers and a few legislators along with their supporters, began the fast at Indira Park here.

The leaders who sat on the fast include MPs K. Keshava Rao, G. Vivek, G. Sukhender Reddy, S. Rajaiah, K. Rajagopal Reddy, Ponnam Prabhakar and Ministers K. Jana Reddy and Basvaraj Saraiah.

They said more leaders would join them in the fast later.

“In support of the cause and boost the morale of resigned Telangaana congress public representatives, all the Telangaana congress party workers and Lakhs of People have decided to go on “one day hunger strike (Satyagraha)” on July 18 at all Mandal/Block Headquarters”, said Ponnam Prabhakar, the MP who resigned from Lok Sabha .
Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and State Congress Chief Botsa Satyanarayana had Tuesday advised the ministers and legislators not to go on fast.

The agitating Congress leaders also rejected the party’s appeal that they take back their resignations. Eleven MPs and 40 members of assembly belonging to Congress party had submitted their resignations last week.