Declaring his innings as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh over, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy submitted his resignation to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan on Wednesday in protest against the Union government’s decision to “divide Telugus for the sake of votes and seats.”
Ending his 39-month reign, Mr. Reddy announced that he was quitting the Congress and the membership of the Assembly. He assumed office on November 25, 2010.
Before proceeding to Raj Bhavan to hand over his resignation, Mr. Reddy accused the Congress leadership of colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to ensure passage of the Bill.
He evaded a reply when asked if he was floating a party, and said he would announce his future course of action in a few days after consulting supporters.
Since the passage of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2013, in the Lok Sabha, the support base of Mr. Reddy had seen an erosion.
Raj Bhavan sources said Mr. Reddy’s resignation was accepted. The Governor reportedly asked him to continue in office till alternative arrangements were made.
Mr. Reddy proceeded to the camp office amid reports over the possibility of clamping President’s rule in the State as the political atmosphere was not fully conducive to elect a new leader of the Congress Legislature Party.
There was mixed reactions to the resignation with Seemandhra leaders saying it was the right decision while their Telangana counterparts claiming it was inconsequential at this juncture.
Several Ministers and elected representatives began putting in their papers. A bandh was observed in 13 districts of Seemandhra in response to a call given by the YSR Congress Party.
