Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar announced on Thursday afternoon that he would not withdraw his resignation from the Council of Ministers, though he would continue in the Congress party and in the Assembly.
Mr. Vasant Kumar had sent his letter of resignation from the Cabinet to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday midnight, a few hours after the announcement of portfolios. He sent another letter to Deputy Speaker of the Assembly N. Manohar stating that he was quitting his membership of the Assembly.
The Minister, who was unhappy with the allocation of the Tourism portfolio, issued a press release stating that he would meet AICC president Sonia Gandhi to explain to her the circumstances under which he had taken the decision to resign from the Cabinet. “…And, as a disciplined member of the Congress party, I will abide by any decision she may take in this regard. Till then, I will keep away from the Cabinet”, he said.
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He justified his decision to remain in the Congress by stating that his family had been associated with the party for generations. His father and grandfather had served the party with dedication, sincerity and honesty. “I have the good fortune of continuing the same legacy. In keeping with the highest traditions of the Congress, I will meet the AICC President to explain to her under what circumstance I had taken the decision to resign”, the press release added.
Later, Mr. Vasant Kumar informed the Deputy Speaker about his decision to withdraw his resignation as MLA.