MPs, MLAs from Telangana resign; violence during bandh

NEW DELHI/HYDERABAD: MPs and MLAs from Telangana cutting across party lines today resigned their seats in protest against the Centre putting the issue of the separate state on the backburner as the region shut down following a 48-hour bandh call.

Eleven Congress members of the Lok Sabha met in New Delhi this morning and decided to submit their resignation to party president Sonia Gandhi in protest against the Centre's decision last night on the issue.

They urged her to expedite the process of formation of the separate state.

At a meeting in Andhra Bhavan here, the MPs also decided to meet Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy, who is also an MP from Telangana region, and convey their decision.

A senior MP Madhu Yashki said they would also like Reddy to be part of their struggle, an indication that they would like him to resign.

Chidambaram's statement yesterday said there was need for wide ranging discussions on the Telangana issue as the situation in Andhra Pradesh has altered since his December 9 statement.