Hurt by Andhra break-up: Pallam Raju

Human Resource Development Minister M.M. Pallam Raju Friday said he decided to quit the cabinet because he was "deeply offended" by the decision to split Andhra Pradesh.

"It is going to be harmful and detrimental to the long-term interests of the state," Pallam Raju told reporters here.

"I am deeply offended and aggrieved that we have not been able to articulate the concerns of the people well enough for the cabinet to take note of our hurt and anguish," he said.

The cabinet Thursday formally decided to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh to form Telangana as India's 29th state.

Pallam Raju said: "Consequent to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) decision (to create Telangana), there has been an agitation that has been raging for over two months in the Andhra and Rayalseema regions.

"Noting the agitation, the A.K. Antony committee was formed by the party to look into the genuine grievances and concerns of the people of the two regions.

"We were hopeful that the Antony committee would hear the grievances and concerns and do the course correction in the direction that would be given to the government in order to proceed with the bifurcation.

"Without waiting for that, the cabinet has rushed through... I think this has been done in great haste without understanding the issues concerned and without understanding the concerns of the region and sentiments of the people."