Minister Viswarup resigns

Hyderabad: Minister for Animal Husbandry P Viswarup submitted his resignation from the council of ministers protesting against the bifurcation of the state. This is the first resignation in support of united Andhra Pradesh from the council of ministers.

Viswarup called on Governor ESL Narsimhan and handed over his resignation letter. Talking to media, he said, "I am moved by the ongoing agitation for united state. Hence, I have decided to step down from the minister's post. “I will continue as an MLA to vote against the resolution on the state division in the Assembly," he said.

Viswarup was with the Governor for about 30 minutes. He had urged the Governor to intervene, take the initiative and call the APNGOs for talks, explain the options that the Centre was contemplating to the agitated employees and seek their opinion. The Governor, according to Viswarup, gave a patient hearing. He said if the Congress high command reconsidered the decision to bifurcate the state he would continue in the Congress or else would quit the party. Speculations are rife that Viswarup would join the YSRCP.