Cong contemplates President's rule in Andhra Pradesh

Congress on Monday did not rule out imposition of President's rule in Andhra Pradesh in the wake of Kiran Kumar Reddy resigning as chief minister to protest against division of the state.

Briefing reporters, AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs Digvijay Singh was ambivalent about the successor of Reddy. Nothing is ruled out, he replied to a question on whether President's rule is ruled out.

To a query on who would replace Reddy, he said discussions are taking place in this connection and it would be known in the near future. Noting that the code of conduct is expected to come into effect in first week of March, Singh asked whether the new incumbent government would have enough time to function.

Interestingly, he welcomed former Reddy to Congress, saying the latter was not expelled from the party. As far as Kiran Reddy is concerned, he has not been expelled. He has voluntarily resigned. He is welcome to come back, Singh, who is also Congress general secretary, stated.

He also said the issue of six expelled MPs would be looked sympathetically, if they wanted to return to the party. Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that politics and governance does not tolerate a vacuum.

To a question whether Congress is interested in President's rule or else, he said, Even as we speak, whether you call it caretaker or you call it President's rule or you call it a new government, governance goes on.

He also said that whatever is appropriate in accordance with the constitutional letter and spirit will be done and that will apply whether it is Andhra Pradesh or whether it Delhi or elsewhere.