MP Lagadapati Rajagopal told mediapersons on Saturday that he would get his resignation ratified by the Lok Sabha Speaker on September 24 and join the Samaikyandhra movement. At the end of the meeting of Congress MLAs and office-bearers at his office, he apologised for the fiasco at Autonagar.
The MP was asked to go back from the relay-fast venue, which led to a clash between his supporters and the Autonagar Workers’ Association members. The police had to quell the mob to bring peace.
The MP said: “If my visit has hurt anyone, I am sorry for that. It is only to express my solidarity with their cause.” The agitation was not being financed by any interest group, he said. People were voluntarily leading the movement for a united State, he added.
“The State will not be divided. I had predicted it on July 30 when the CWC decision was made public, and I stand vindicated so far. I know that the process will not be completed in the next six months also,” he added.
“The day the Cabinet note is put before the Union Cabinet for approval, I, along with four others, would quit immediately sitting at the office of the Lok Sabha Speaker,” he said. “At least 23 MPs have promised me to oppose the Telangana Bill if it is introduced in Parliament, and their word is reliable,” he observed.
Vijayawada MLAs Malladi Visnhu and Vellampalli Srinivas and DCC president Naraharisetti, along with City Congress president Meesala Rajeswara Rao, and Nagendra attended the meeting at the MP’s office.
Earlier, they held a press conference at Andhra Ratna Bhavan to criticise the TDP for giving a letter to the Centre agreeing to divide the State.
