90 Cong, TDP MLA’s resign

Andhra Pradesh was plunged in political crisis on Thursday, hours after the Centre agreed to a separate Telangana state, with nearly 90 Congress, Telugu Desam and Prajarajyam party MLAs from the coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema regions resigning in protest. More resignations are expected.


Congress MP from Vijayawada L Rajagopala has also reportedly resigned from the Lok Sabha. Sources say at least five other Congress MPs from the coastal Andhra region may join Rajagopala, an industrialist-turned-politician who has publicly opposed the bifurcation of Andhra. Members of the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) have vandalized his home in the past because of his stand against a Telangana state.

But Andhra Pradesh Congress chief D Srinivas said there have been no resignations. In Delhi to meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Srinivas said: "All must reconcile now that the decision has been taken. There are no resignations. Please give them time to understand the decision."

The TDP’s case is even more piquant. The party’s traditional stronghold is coastal Andhra Pradesh. It fought the Lok Sabha elections with the TRS and other pro-Telangana parties, but party chief N Chandrababu Naidu has steered clear of voicing open support much to the chagrin of his allies.