Two BJP ministers in Chandrababu Naidu cabinet — Kamineni Srinivas (Medical and Health) and P. Manikyala Rao (Endowments) — stayed away from the cabinet meeting this morning that began in Amaravati to formally approve the budget and submitted their resignations to the Chief Minister at the instance of the BJP high command.
Today’s development comes after the Telugu Desam Party last night announced its decision to pull out of the Narendra Modi government in protest against Centre’s refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, saying the Centre has done injustice to the residual State.
Speaking to mediapersons after handing over their resignation letters to Chandrababu Naidu, Kamineni Srinivas and Manikyala Rao expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for giving them chance to serve people as ministers. Receiving their resignation letters, the Chief Minister praised the two for discharging their duties as minister with responsibility and moral values.
Kamineni Srinivas said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was steering the residual State on the path of development. Stating that Chandrababu Naidu was indispensable for the State development, Kamineni said he had joined the BJP on the invitation of Venkaiah Naidu, and he was alone for his induction in the TDP cabinet. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also lent utmost cooperation to him, he added. (NSS)