The President of the Telugu Desam Party and the Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, will raise the issue of imposition of VAT on textiles in the forthcoming Assembly session.

The issue has prompted textile traders to go on a a nine-day state-wide bandh.

Addressing the protesting the textile traders at Dharna Chowk at Indira Park here on Tuesday, Mr Naidu termed the VAT increase decision as unjustified, which would place additional burden on the common man.

He said the move will make textile trading sector unviable, which would be capitalised by traders from the neighbouring States.

He reiterated the support of his party to the striking textile traders.

The Textile Traders Association said Andhra Pradesh was the only State to levy 5 per cent VAT on textiles, leading to flow of business to the neighbouring States. About 40 per cent of all trade happens on wedding purchases. Instead of buying here, customers are travelling to neighbouring States, the traders said.