Chiru does a u-turn, resigns as MLA for united AP

Making a u-turn, Praja Rajyam chief Chiranjeevi today announced his decision to resign as MLA and support a united Andhra Pradesh, changing the party's earlier line of support to separate Telangana state.

"In deference to the wishes of the people, the Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) will henceforth stand for a united Andhra Pradesh.

"We shall bring the required pressure on powers that be to ensure that the stays united," he announced at a crowded press conference at the party headquarters here."

He said, "After long discussions in the party we have decided for united Andhra Pradeshy because only a united AP can solve the problem of backwardness."

Chiranjeevi, who was elected from Tirupati in Rayalaseema area, signed his resignation letter before the media and said it would be immeidately sent to the Speaker Kiran Kumar Reddy.

"I am taking moral responsibility for the change in our party's stand for a united state and putting in my papers," he said.

The actor-turned-politician, whose party has 18 MLAs including two from Telangana in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly said, "We did not not expect so much euphoria and suport for a united AP. That is why finally we decided to go for united AP."

He said the Congress should explain its unilateral decision on creation of Telangana.

In the all-party meet before in Hyderabad before the Centre's announcement last week on creation of a separate Telangana, Praja Rajyam had said it would support a resolution on Telangana if it was brought in the Assembly.

After the centre's announcement,  he had resisted demands for his resignation saying as a leader of a party he has to keep in mind the sentiments of people of all the regions in the state.

Chiranjeevi said that the his party took a pro-Telangana stand  at the time of its formation in August last year since there was a strong clamour for a separate state.

"Now there is an overwhelming demand for a unified state.  As a political party, we are bound to go by the people's wishes and accordingly we have decided to shift our stand in favour of a unified AP," he said.

He said development would suffer in the state was bifurcated.  "We have had an elaborate discussion with all concerned on the separate statehood issue.  But the majority opinion was that smaller states will suffer on the development front because the resources will be limited," Chiranjeevi said.

The PRP chief  said he would go to places where people were holding fasts in support of a united AP and participate in them as a measure of support.

On some distributors deciding not not to screen his films in Telangana area, Chiranjeevi said he it could be out of some spontaneous anger and he was not not upset about it.

He said he took decisions not not for his personal advantage but for the advantage of the people.

Welcoming Chiranjeevi's decision, Congress MP L Rajagopal, who has been holding fast-unto-death in Vijayawada, said late N T Ramarao's grandson and popular film actor Junior NTR, should also come out in support of a united Andhra Pradesh.

The indefinite hunger strike started by TDP legislator D Umamaheswar Rao and other party leaders entered the fifth day today.

As police tried to shift the fasting TDP legislators to the hospital, they resisted the move and locked themselves up in a government guest house.

Police forcibly shifted a few other fasting TDP leaders to hospital yesterday after their condition started deteriorating.

The situation at Srikrishna Devaraya University in Ananthapur, meanwhile, remained calm but tense as police continued tight security arrangements in the campus. Police had baton-charged the students following a clash a few days ago.

"We have no objection if the students take out protests peacefully. If the situation warrants we have to take action," Ananthapur District Superintendent of Police M K Singh said.

Former TDP MP K Srinivasulu alleged highhandedness by the police, who stopped a party delegation from meeting the protesting students.

Rallies, road blockades and other forms of protests were also reported from across Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions.