23 more MLAs resign; political crisis continues in AP

Hyderabad, Dec 11 (PTI) The political crisis in
India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh over the Telangana
issue intensified Friday with the number of Members of
Legislative Assembly (MLAs) resigning climbing to 128 as
protests broke out in non-Telangana regions over the Indian
Government's decision to split the state.

23 more MLAs submitted their resignation to Speaker
Kirankumar Reddy. In all 76 MLAs from Congress party have
resigned, 38 from Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and 14 from Praja
Rajyam Party (PRP) in the 294-member Assembly.
Amid a debate over whether or not to continue Assembly
proceedings in the wake of the en masse resignations of
legislators, the Speaker adjourned the House till Monday.
The Speaker made it clear that he has to speak to all
those who quit before taking a decision after ascertaining if
they resigned due to their own volition or due to any
compulsion.
In view of the crisis, the state government is holding
consultations with the Attorney General.
State Chief Minister K Rosaiah has called a meeting of
floor leaders of all parties to take stock of the situation.
Incidents of violence and stoning of buses were
reported in towns of coastal Andhra and Rayasaleema against
the Centre's decision to carve out Telangana state.
In New Delhi, Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh
met Andhra Members of Parliament (MPs) to take stock of the
situation.
At the start of the proceedings, the Speaker announced
that 103 MLAs of Congress party, TDP and PRP have resigned and
that he will go by the rule book while taking a decision on
them. PTI DBV
ANU


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