Andhra Pradesh chief minister set to resign

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy will resign Tuesday over the issue of bifurcation of the state, a cabinet minister loyal to him said.

Law minister E. Pratap Reddy confirmed that the chief minister would put in his papers as the central government is going ahead with the process for formation of separate Telangana state.

"He will definitely resign," the minister told reporters after meeting the chief minister.

The minister also indicated that Kiran Reddy may float a new political party.

Kiran Reddy, who has defied the Congress leadership openly over Telangana issue, was holding consultations with ministers and legislators from Seemandhra.

According to sources close to the chief minister, he would meet Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan at 3 p.m. to submit his resignation.

However, the timing may depend on the developments in parliament. Kiran Reddy may drive to Raj Bhavan after Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill is taken up for debate in Lok Sabha.

Though the bill is scheduled to come up for debate in Lok Sabha Tuesday, protests by central ministers and MPs from Seemandhra led to repeated adjournments of the house since morning.