AP split: 14 ministers, 26 MLAs from Seemandhra say they'll quit

Public and political protests against the partition of Andhra Pradesh is rising in the Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra) regions.

On Thursday evening, owing to widespread protests by people in their constituencies, 14 ministers, 26 MLAs and seven Members of the Legislative Council  resolved to be prepared to resign from their posts, to put pressure on the Congress high command to keep the state united. They also sought similar action from Members of Parliament and Union ministers hailing from the region.

Later in the evening, 12 ministers, including Kasu Venkatakrishna Reddy, E Pratap Reddy, Ahmedullah, S Vijaya Rama Rao, Galla Aruna Kumari, Ganta Srinivasa Rao and M Maheedhar Reddy met Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his office in this regard.

Earlier, ministers S Sailajanath, T G Venkatesh and J C Diwakar Reddy told the media they wanted the Congress Working Committee to reconsider its decision to accord statehood to Telangana. “Our mistake has been to remain calm,” Diwakar Reddy said, adding they would now participate in the people’s agitation against the bifurcation.

Meanwhile, the Seemandhra region saw widespread protests from students and government employees. The situation remained tense; a shut-down was observed and rallies were held for the second consecutive day at various places, including Visakhapatnam.

At Anantapur, agitators destroyed statues of Rajiv Gandhi and Indira Gandhi.

In the state capital, secretariat employees from Seemandhra staged a dharna, shouting slogans against the bifurcation. The Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers’ Association has called for a strike from August 5.

Chief Minister Reddy has appealed to the people to maintain peace. He said though people had the right to protest and agitate in a democracy, they shouldn’t indulge in violence and destruction of public property. He added stringent action would be taken against those involved in arson and violence.