TDP in turmoil as Goud, Peddi Reddy quits TDP over Telangana issue

Hyderabad, Jun 23 (UNI) In a significant political development, TDP Polit Bureau member and former Home Minister T Devendar Goud today resigned from the party along with former Minister E Peddi Reddy to strive for separate Telangana state, pushing the main opposition party in Andhra Pradesh into a major political crisis.

Mr Goud, number two in the regional party, sent his resignation letter, addressed to party President N Chandrababu Naidu, to party headquarters NTR Trust Bhavan when the party supremo was in Srikakulam district as part of his 150-day ''Meekosam Yatra'' to strengthen the party in the state.

Mr Goud also sent his letter of resignation from the State Assembly to Speaker K R Suresh Reddy.

Dismissing the resignation as ''made with ulterior political motives,'' Mr Naidu in the midst of his 'yatra', ruled out any rapproachement with his former party colleagues, evenwhile reiterating that the party was not against the Telangana demand.

Meanwhile, thanking his supporters, who had gathered in large numbers in front of his house, Mr Goud vowed to work for a separate Telangana state and fulfil the aspirations of the people of this backward region.

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