Arrest of minister dents Cong's probity plan in Andhra

The arrest of Excise and Prohibition Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana has caused worry in Kiran Kumar Reddy government as some other ministers are also under the CBI scanner in the case against Jagan.

The timing of all this could not have been worse for Congress which is facing by-elections to one Lok Sabha and 18 Assembly seats on June 12.

Mopidevi, a three-time MLA from Guntur district belonging to fishermen community, earned the dubious distinction of being the first incumbent minister to be arrested in the state on the charge of corruption.

As he reached CBI's office for a further round of questioning this morning, Mopidevi was defiant.

"I have done no wrong and there is no question of my resignation from the post," he claimed. But after the inevitable happened, Mopidevi promptly sent his resignation letter to the Chief Minister, which was in turn forwarded to the state Governor for acceptance. (more)