Andhra Pradesh minister P Viswarup quits over bifurcation issue

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Animal Husbandry Minister P Viswarup today tendered resignation from his post protesting the proposed bifurcation of the state.

He met Governor E S L Narasimhan in the Raj Bhavan in the afternoon and handed over his resignation, ignoring Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy's advise not to quit.

He had submitted his resignation, along with some other ministers, to the Chief Minister early last month over the same issue but he gave a fresh letter to the Governor today.

"I am moved by the ongoing agitation for a unified state. Hence, I have decided to step down from the minister's post," Viswarup said.

"I will continue as an MLA to vote against the resolution (on the state division) in the Assembly," he added.

Viswarup had earlier said he would quit the Congress if it did not withdraw the bifurcation move by November 1, Andhra Pradesh Formation Day.