Andhra Pradesh may come under President's rule

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh may be heading for President's rule as the Congress is not likely to name a successor to N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who resigned as chief minister on Wednesday to protest against the state's break up.

Anti-Telangana Protesters slap Sonia Gandhi's poster in Andhra Pradesh. Pic: AFP

The Congress leadership has not taken a final decision as it is preoccupied with the developments relating to the Telangana bill in parliament. But party leaders including central minister Jairam Ramesh indicated that President's rule may be imposed in the state.

Kiran Reddy, while submitting his resignation, conveyed to Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan that he would not like to continue as caretaker chief minister and requested him to make alternate arrangements as early as possible.

With the Congress not naming a new chief minister, the governor is likely to send his report to the central government Thursday, recommending President's rule.

Though some Congress leaders from Seemandhra are lobbying for the chief minister's post, the leadership is reportedly not keen to name anybody in the current tumultuous situation.

Central minister K. Chiranjeevi and state ministers Kanna Lakshminarayana and Anam Ramnarayana Reddy are reportedly eyeing the post.

Some leaders from Telangana, who are camping in the national capital, are also among the aspirants for the post.

The Congress leadership is currently focusing on getting the Rajya Sabha's approval for the Telangana bill, which was passed in the Lok Sabha amid bedlam Tuesday.

After its passage in the Rajya Sabha, it would be sent to President Pranab Mukherjee for his assent. The government will then issue a gazette notification. The entire process is likely to take a week.

As assembly elections are due in Andhra Pradesh along with the Lok Sabha polls, President's rule is seen as the preferred option.