Tirupati, Aug 10 (IANS): A shutdown was being observed in this temple town on Monday after a man committed self-immolation demanding special status for Andhra Pradesh.

Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained shut in response to the shutdown call given by the Congress and the Left parties.

Buses to Tirumala temple, however, were plying as usual.

The Congress and the Left parties took out rallies protesting the failure of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in getting special status for the state.

M.Kamakoti, 41, who set himself ablaze on Saturday in Tirupati during a protest organised by the Congress over the special status issue, died at a hospital in Chennai on Sunday.

The Congress activist poured kerosene and set himself ablaze. He suffered 95 percent burns and was admitted to Ruia Hospital in Tirupati. He was later shifted to CMC in Vellore and from there to KMC Hospital in Chennai.

Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu has made a public appeal to the people to refrain from such drastic steps.

"I'm confident that the centre will grant special status to our state. But, it is my sincere request to the people of Andhra Pradesh to not be driven by emotion or resort to any extreme steps," he said in a statement on Sunday.

The opposition parties have alleged that the TDP government is not lobbying hard enough with the central government for special category status for the state.