AP Minister challenges party MLA to resign on Telangana issue

Hyderabad, Mar 10 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Minister for Information Technology and Communication R Damodar Reddy today challenged the Telangana Regional Development Board Chairman and senior Congress MLA from Telangana region U Puruthotham Reddy to resign his post and contest on Telangana sentiment.

Talking to newspersons here, he alleged that the senior Congress leaders belonging to Telangana region were making statements on Telangana with frustration, as they could not secure ministerial berths or governor posts.

Mr Damodar said leaders of Telangana were raising Telangana issue only for their self-interests.

The leaders should prove their sinceriety on Telagnana by resigning their posts and contesting again, in the event of bypolls for 16 Assembly constituencies in Telangana region, following the resignation of TRS MLAs, he added.

Mr Purushotham, while accepting the challenge said, he was ready to resign and contest the elections, only if Mr Damodar also tenders his resignation and face the electorate again.

He told UNI that he will retire from politics, if he is defeated in the election. However, if Mr Damodar is defeated, the entire cabinet should resign and take steps to create separate Telangana, he added.

UNI BR/AP KVV RL BD1955