The Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimhan has accepted the resignation of State Chief Minister N.Kiran Kuma Reddy and requested the latter and his colleagues in the Council of Ministers to continue in office till alternative arrangements were made.

In a communiqué issued a short while ago by the Governor’s office, it was informed that Kiran Kumar Reddy submitted his resignation to the Governor. While accepting it with effect from February 19, he was asked to continue as caretaker till alternative arrangements were made.

It is to be seen whether Reddy, who announced his move to quit as Chief Minister, MLA and from the Party protesting against the creation of a separate State of Telangana, would accept this request. Earlier, he disbanded the Chief Minister’s Secretariat and moved out of the CM’s Camp Office too.

On Wednesday, he had requested the Governor to make alternative arrangements. Given the current situation and acrimony between leaders of both the regions, forming a Government seems to be tough.

In the past two days since Reddy put in his papers, the Governor is learnt to have spoken to some of the State leaders. Several senior ‘Ministers’ of the Kiran Cabinet too had called on the Governor on Thursday, but described it as ‘just a courtesy call’. However, sources indicated that efforts were underway to explore if a new leader could be chosen and Government formed.

The Governor will take a final call after consulting the Centre. The options before him include forming of a new Government or recommending the imposition of President’s rule.

Related Topics