Andhra minister Venkata Reddy quits

Hyderabad, December 24: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology, Sports and Youth Services Komatireddy Venkata Reddy today resigned from his post saying he was “pained by” the Centre’s statement that further discussions are needed on the Telangana issue.

He also submitted his resignation for his MLA’s post.

Venkata Reddy, who has been a vociferous supporter of separate Telangana demand, is the first minister from the region to step down from his post in the aftermath of the Centre’s latest announcement on the statehood demand.

“I was deeply pained over Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s statement on Telangana. It is a clear attempt to block the formation of the state,” Venkata Reddy said.

More ministers hailing from Telangana region too were ready to put in their papers over the issue, he added.

–Agencies