13 Dec : The political crisis in Andhra Pradesh triggered by the Telangana issue showed no signs of easing on Sunday with four TDP leaders launching an indefinite fast opposing bifurcation of the state, even as ministers, who threatened to quit, maintained silence on their move.
Telugu Desam MLAs Devineni Umamaheswara Rao (Mylavaram) and Chinnam Ramakotaiah (Nuzividu), along with former Mayor of Vijayawada city Panchumarthi Anuradha and party leader B Umamaheswara Rao sat on the indefinite hunger strike in Vijayawada, the epicentre of the anti-Telangana protests.
On the other hand, Ch Ramesh, TDP MLA from Karimnagar in Telangana region, submitted resignation both from his assembly membership as well as the party in protest against the TDP’s “doublespeak” on Telangana.
Suspense continued on the issue of resignation of more than 20 ministers, who had on Saturday decided to quit opposing the formation of Telangana.
There was no word on whether they stick to their stand and press their resignation or withdraw it.
The Ministers, all hailing from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions, are expected to make their stand public soon.
However, state Congress chief D Srinivas hoped that no minister will step down while appealing to the legislators to withdraw their resignation, saying “they have made their stand known and the high command will now take a decision.” (SS-13/12)
21 Min from AP, Rayalaseema offer to resign on Telangana issue
21 Ministers of the Rosaish cabinet have offered their resignations on Telengana issue while Andhra Pradesh CM Rosaiah has requested his cabinet colleagues from Andhra and Rayalaseema regions not to quit.
130 MLAs had already resigned from the assembly.
Meanwhile Bandhs and protests over the Centre’s move to create a separate Telangana state continued for the second day on Saturday, affecting normal life in coastal Andhra and Rayalseema regions of Andhra Pradesh.
The state transport bus services have been suspended while banks and ATMs were also closed.
The trains are running with 15 to 30 minutes delay.
Meanwhile the Telugu Desam legislators from Telengana region asked the government to immediately move a resolution for separate Telengana.
On the other side government’s Chief Whip M Bhatti Vikramarka today appealed to the legislators to withdraw their resignations to help reduce emotional outpouring.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday assured a delegation of Congress MPs from non-Telangana regions of Andhra Pradesh that nothing will be done in haste on the creation of a separate state.
The MPs from coastal Andhra and Rayasaleema regions met the Prime Minister for 40 minutes during which which Prime Minister assured them no step will be taken in a haste.
Meanwhile, in a statement late last evening Andhra Pradesh CM K Rosaiah said it would be difficult to have a resolution on the statehood passed in the current session of the legislature.
He said the process relating to the formation of Telangana state will be done only through consensus.
“There was preparation but to my astonishment, to my surprise and anguish, the so-called statement issued by Chidambaram has created a sort of flutter among the youth of coastal areas of Rayalaseema starting from Srikakulam up to Tirupati to Kadapa,” he said. (ST-12/12)
Demand does not mean new states everywhere: Pranab
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday said that the demand for smaller states does not mean that new states would be created everywhere.
“The demand for Telangana is 60 years old. This does not mean everywhere new states are to be created,” Mukherjee said.
He said that so far Telangana was concerned Home Minister P Chidambaram had made a statement that “there were stages for formation (of a state). These are preliminary stages.”