Andhra minister resigns over state division

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Infrastructure and Investment Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Thursday resigned from his post in the backdrop of mounting protests across Andhra-Rayalaseema regions against the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government's decision to bifurcate the state.

Some other ministers from Andhra-Rayalaseema will meet Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy late in the evening and tender their resignations while Congress members of Legislative Council and members of Legislative Assembly from the regions will put in their papers in the evening, minister T G Venkatesh said.

But the number of those ready to resign is not clear yet. Though there was no unanimity among the Congress ministers over the resignation issue yesterday, a decision to quit their posts was taken at meeting held on Thursday afternoon.

Ganta wrote a letter to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy stating that his conscience was not permitting him to continue as a Cabinet minister as the recent developments (over the state bifurcation issue) were against the "wishes, sentiments and aspirations" of the people.

"As an ardent supporter and as a representative of people wishing and praying for united Andhra Pradesh, it is very painful to note that the UPA government decided in favour of

separating the state into two. I strongly believe that the development is not at all acceptable to the people whom I represent. In view of the developments, I hereby tender my resignation from the Cabinet ministership," Ganta said in the letter.