Telangana row: Kiran Kumar Reddy resigns as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, quits Congress

Mangalore Today News Network

Hyderabad, Feb 19, 2014:  Kiran Kumar Reddy resigned from the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister’s post, the membership of the state assembly and the Congress party, a day after the Lok Sabha passed the bill creating Telangana as the 29th state of India.

Mr Reddy played the Telugu ’bidda’ (son of the soil) card to the hilt before walking over to the Raj Bhawan from his residence, covering a distance of two kms,  to hand over his resignation. Addressing his last press conference before announcing his resignation, he lashed out at both the Congress and the BJP for allowing the bill to be passed in the Lok Sabha, making it clear that he was planning to plough a lonely furrow in the coming days.

"It is shameful that this bill was presented like robbers, hiding from people, putting off TV, throwing out those who were objecting. The BJP also conspired to harm Telugu people, striking a secret deal with the Congress," he said.

Mr Reddy also pointed out that "nowhere has a bill rejected by state assembly been passed by Parliament. For seats and votes, all political parties have done lot of harm to Telugu people. I condemn this. Telugu people will all be harmed by this.’’

On Tuesday, the Lok Sabha passed the controversial bill that creates a new Telangana state by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. The Rajya Sabha will take up the bill today.

For months, Mr Reddy has battled for a united Andhra Pradesh, rebelling against his party which decided to hurry through its Telangana plan with an eye on the national elections due by May. The Congress hopes the split will bring it rich electoral dividends from the 10 districts of the Telangana region.

Mr Reddy’s efforts have included leading the state Assembly in rejecting the Telangana plan and a protest sit-in at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

The non-Telangana Seemandhra region is observing a daylong bandh today to protest the bill’s passage in the Lok Sabha. 

Courtesy: NDTV