Vijayawada, Oct 7 (IANS): YSRC president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy on Wednesday began his indefinite fast at Guntur near here, demanding separate category status to Andhra Pradesh.

The leader of opposition along with his supporters launched the "deeksha" in the afternoon after paying tributes to those who committed suicide over the delay in the state getting the special status.

Speaking on the occasion, he lashed out at both the Bharatiya Janata Party-led central government at the Centre and the Telugu Desam Party-led state government for going back on their promise.

He said TDP failed to pressurise the central government on the issue despite being a coalition partner.

Jagan, as the young leader is popularly known, said the special status was a must for the state to make progress and urged the central government to fulfil the commitment given in the parliament at the time of bifurcation of undivided Andhra Pradesh.

The YSR Congress Party chief explained to people the benefits the state will get as a result of the special category status, and lamented the state government failed to act on the issue despite some people committing suicide.

Jagan was to launch the indefinite fast last month but the state government repeatedly denied him the permission for the same.