Two more Andhra ministers quit over Telangana

Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Kondru Murali Mohan and Forest Minister Satrucharla Vijayarama Raju on Monday resigned from their posts protesting the proposed bifurcation of the state.

With this, the total number of ministers who resigned in favour of a unified state went up to 11.

Kondru and Satrucharla met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at the camp office this afternoon and handed over their resignation letters.

"The political parties that gave letters in support of the bifurcation should withdraw them," the two demanded, adding that they would continue all efforts to ensure the state remained united.

Meanwhile, the chief minister came to his office in the secretariat after a gap of about 15 days.

Kiran stayed away from the secretariat ever since the Congress Central Working Committee on July 30 resolved to divide Andhra Pradesh and confined himself to the camp office.

The chief minister was said to have cleared some pending files in the four hours he spent in his office chamber.

Finance Minister Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy, prior to talks with AP NGOs Association leaders, met the chief minister and discussed the proposed indefinite strike by government employees opposing the state bifurcation, sources said.

Image: A pro-Telangana supporter protests in New Delhi

Photograph: Reuters