Telangana fallout: 9 Cong MLAs,3 MLCs resign; protests continue

This came hours after the resignation of Ganta Srinivasa Rao as the Minister of Infrastructure and Investment in Andhra Pradesh.

Ganta had earlier on Thursday written a letter to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy stating that his conscience was not permitting him to continue as a Cabinet minister as the recent developments (over the state bifurcation issue) were against the “wishes,sentiments and aspirations” of the people.

“As an ardent supporter and as a representative of people wishing and praying for united Andhra Pradesh,it is very painful to note that the UPA government decided in favour of separating the state into two. I strongly believe that the development is not at all acceptable to the people whom I represent. In view of the developments,I hereby tender my resignation from the Cabinet ministership,” Ganta said in the letter.

Some other ministers from Andhra-Rayalaseema are expected to meet Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy late in the evening and tender their resignations.

Meanwhile,protests against the decision to divide Andhra Pradesh rocked Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra regions for the second day on Thursday with united Andhra supporters taking out rallies and preventing public transport buses from plying.

Protests were reported in the districts of Krishna,East Godavari,Visakhapatnam,Kadapa and Anantapur.

While the hunger strike launched by students in Visakhaptnam at Andhra university entered the third day today,lawyers refrained from attending courts today also as a part of their 72-hour boycott in Visakhapatnam and other districts as well.

Some pro-united Andhra outfits have been observing a 72-hour shut down at places like Visakhapatnam.