'Division of Andhra Pradesh not acceptable'

Congress leaders from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions of the state Thursday said a division of Andhra Pradesh was not acceptable to them.

In a resolution passed at a meeting here, the leaders of Seemandhra, as the two regions are referred to, demanded the central government should keep the state united.

"The meeting of ministers, legislators of Rayalaseema and Andhra met in Hyderabad and resolved that nothing short of united Andhra Pradesh is acceptable to us," said the resolution.

Minister S. Sailajanath said the meeting endorsed a statement made by then prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1972.

"I stand firmly for the integrated state of Andhra Pradesh after considering all pros and cons of two agitations," Gandhi had said then.

The resolution will be sent to the central government and to the central leadership of the party. The leaders plan to visit Delhi Jan 21.