Telangana holds 'zero' electoral prospects for Cong: Kiran Reddy

Also says he is prepared for any eventuality, including resignation for his fight to keep the state united

The decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh has “zero” electoral prospects and will be a "death blow" to Congress, chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy today claimed, and said he was ready for "any sacrifice" including his resignation to halt the division.

“Electoral prospects is zero... It is going to be a death blow to Congress in Andhra Pradesh for a very long time. They (PM and Sonia) have not understood the problem which is hurting me. They have not understood why we are rebelling so much being loyal Congress persons for 20-25 years,” Reddy told Karan Thapar in Devil’s Advocate programme on CNN-IBN.

He was replying to a question on how serious a mistake Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi have done by proposing to divide the state, and how much damage it might lead to Congress’s electoral prospects.

“We have rejected the President's reference in both the Houses. It is unfortunate that the central leaders and others want to put it in Parliament. We are protesting to highlight the issue and we are asking and requesting them to respect it,” Reddy said.

Reddy also said he was prepared for any eventuality, including resignation for his fight to keep the state united.

“Resignation, power or chief ministership is not bigger to me than the will of the people. The will of the people is that they want to be united,” he said.

The party is bigger than any individual but people are bigger than the party and the sentiments of the people has to be respected, he said.

“Post does not bother me. I am not a permanent chief minister. I am the 16th chief minister here, there will be a 17th, a 18th or 20th chief minister. I don't want my state to be divided. When I took up the fight for a united state, I prepared for everything and took it up. I know what I am doing. I know the will of the people. I am reflecting the will of the people to them,” he added.