Cong wants withdrawal of resignations of AP ministers, MLAs

The Congress high command today put the onus on Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and PCC chief Botsa Satyanarayana to get withdrawn the resignations that were submitted by five ministers and several legislators from Andhra-Rayalaseema regions over the proposed bifurcation of the state.

AICC observers Thirunavukkarasu and Ramachandra Kuntia, who had been camping in the city for the last three days, held talks with the Chief Minister and the PCC chief here this evening and discussed the developments in the aftermath of the CWC resolution on the division of the state.

The AICC leaders reportedly told Kiran and Botsa that the high command wanted them to get the resignations of the ministers, MLCs and MLAs withdrawn as the party was seriously trying to address the bifurcation issue. Five ministers and many MLCs and MLAs, whose number is yet unclear, have put in their papers in the last three days as protests in Andhra-Rayalaseema regions continued unabated for the fourth consecutive day. About 19 ministers and 50 MLCs and MLAs turned up at the Chief Minister's camp office this evening for a meeting called by the Chief Minister and the PCC chief to discuss the political developments.

The AICC observers also joined the meeting and told the legislators that they would have to fall in line as the party high command has already constituted a committee headed by A K Antony to look into the demands of people of Andhra- Rayalaseema and address their concerns, informed sources said.

Earlier in the day, some ministers, MPs and MLAs from Telangana region also met the Chief Minister and discussed the political developments. Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs Balram Naik, state ministers K Jana Reddy, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, D Sridhar Babu, MP V Hanumantha Rao and others were among those who met the Chief Minister. They appealed to the Chief Minister to ensure that the party leaders from both the regions maintained restraint and not stir up passions.