Rayapati, 4 MLAs quit over Telangana

The five-time MP, who is away in the US for a medical check-up, faxed his resignation from Parliament and primary membership of Congress, to his New Delhi office

Protesting what they called the unilateral decision of the Congress leadership in announcing creation of Telangana, Congress Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao and three other MLAs from Seemandhra resigned from the party.

The five-time MP, who is away in the US for medical check-up, faxed his resignation letter from the Parliament and primary membership of the Congress to his New Delhi office. The resignation letter in proper format is expected to be handed over to the Lok Sabha Speaker on Wednesday.

Mummidivaram MLA P. Satish Kumar, Jammalamadugu MLA C. Adinarayana Reddy, Ramachandrapuram MLA Thota Thrimurthulu and Hindupur MLA Abdul Ghani (TDP) were the first to swing into action and tender resignation. Mr. Reddy not only announced his resignation from the Assembly but the party too. Chairman of 20 Point Programme and PCC spokesperson N. Tulasi Reddy tendered resignation to the two posts terming the decision to grant Telangana as an act that would pain the soul of late Indira Gandhi.

Mr. Satish Kumar said he sent his resignation letter in proper format to the Speaker’s office and Chief Minister.

He also resigned from the primary membership of the Congress party by faxing his resignation letter to the PCC president Botcha Satyanarayana.

Mr. Satish said that the CWC had committed a blunder by going against the wishes of Andhra people and it would be appropriate by giving special packages to backward areas instead of announcing separate State.

Kamalapuram MLA G. Veerashiva Reddy had resigned his Assembly membership two days ago protesting the high command’s move to concede Telangana.

The Seemandhra leaders throughout Tuesday tried in vain to convince the high command against announcing Telangana. A group of Union Ministers and MPs met the party president Sonia Gandhi to appeal against bifurcation of the State.

The Ministers – M. M. Pallam Raju, K. Chiranjeevi, Kavuri Sambasiva Rao and others MPs came out disappointed after they were told in no uncertain terms that the high command had made up its mind to concede Telangana. They also met the AICC general secretary Digvijay Singh to register their protests against the move to announce Telangana.