Resignations no solution to bifurcation issue: Raghuveera

Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy on Monday sidestepped demands of his resignation by activists of the Seemandhra Joint Action Committee, saying that resignation of elected representatives would not find a solution to the controversial separate statehood issue.

The Minister was responding to the activists of the Seemandra Joint Action Committee who had picketed the Guest House in city, demanding that he submit his resignation for the cause of Samaikya Andhra Pradesh.

Mr Raghuveera Reddy told the protestors that resignations of leaders would not create a Constitutional crisis as expected by them. “Resignations would only lead to by elections,” he said.

The Minister pointed out that allies constituting the United Progressive Alliance should extend support to the formation of Telangana state. “Without their support it is impossible for the UPA government to form any separate Telangana state,” he pointed out.

He said the government would seek the opinion of Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee, DMK chief M Karunanidhi, Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, Rashtriya Janata Dal president Lalu Prasad and Samajwadi Party president Mulayam Singh Yadav before taking any decision on the Telangana.

Mr Raghuveera Reddy also told the protestors that he was opposed to resignations by elected members from their posts and added that he would appeal the Centre to maintain status quo in the state. “Division of the state would hamper its progress,” he said.  

The Minister also expressed the view that agitations and dharnas are paralysing the administration in the state and students’ educational careers are being hit.