No solution in sight for political crisis in Andhra

The political crisis in Andhra Pradesh, triggered by the Telangana issue, showed no signs of easing on Sunday. It was not clear from the ministers, who had yesterday decided to quit opposing the formation of Telangana, if they would press for acceptance of their resignations or withdraw them. The ministers, all hailing from the coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, are likely to spell out their stand soon.

Andhra Pradesh Congress committee president D Srinivas hoped that no minister would step down and appealed to the legislators to withdraw resignations. The developments in the state have been conveyed to the Congress high command and the latter would take a decision on the matter. Ministers from the Telangana region are expected to meet shortly to chalk out their future strategy.

Congress senior legislator JC Diwakar Reddy, who was the first to submit his resignation, asked the Centre to depute an emissary to clarify doubts that arose after the central party issued statements on the Telangana issue.

Praja Rajyam Party (PRP) president K Chiranjeevi today met chief minister K Rosaiah at the latter’s residence and submitted a memorandum urging him to take steps for maintenance of law and order in the state. Chiranjeevi later told reporters that his party MLAs had submitted resignations in deference to the wishes of people of their respective constituencies.

Telugu Desam (TDP) MLAs Devineni Umamaheswara Rao (Mylavaram) and Chinnam Ramakotaiah (Nuzividu), former mayor of Vijayawada city P Anuradha and party leader B Umamaheswara Rao sat on an indefinite hunger strike in Vijayawada, the epicentre of the anti-Telangana protests.