AP govt adviser and Nirmala Sitharaman husband resigns

Just a fortnight before his tenure was supposed to end, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's husband Parakala Prabhakar today resigned from the post of Advisor (Communications) to the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

"My continuation as Advisor should not cast dark clouds on your sincerity in the fight against the Centre for the states rights. The government's credibility also should not suffer because of me," Prabhakar said in his two-page resignation letter forwarded to the Chief Minister Chandrababdu Naidu this afternoon.

Prabhakar, as advisor, was in effect the Chief Public Relations Officer to the Chief Minister.

Opposition parties, including the YSR Congress, had questioned the Chief Ministers sincerity in his fight with the Centre over the special category status and other issues with Prabhakar continuing as government advisor.

"I was pained that even the Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy sought to cast aspersions on you because of me.

Attributing political motives and accusing you of resorting to behind the screen deals only expose the mindset of the opposition leader," Prabhakar said.

"When I broached the issue with you last night, you rejected my move. But my conscience strongly made me decide to quit, against your wishes. Please accept my resignation forthwith," Prabhakar added.

Prabhakar was appointed Advisor (Communications) in July 2014 for a two-year term.

His tenure was later extended for two more years and it was supposed to end on July 4.