BJP ministers offer to quit AP Cabinet

BJP FLOOR leader Vishnukumar Raju said the party will play the role of Opposition in the Assembly.

After a series of developments in the state executive committee meeting, the AP unit of the BJP has decided request its national leadership to end its alliance with the Telugu Desam in the state.

Accusing the Telugu Desam leaders of insulting its national leaders, BJYM state president Vishnuvardhan Reddy suggested two BJP ministers to quit the TD-led State Cabinet.

Responding to the suggestion, endowments minister Pydikondala Manikyala Rao said he would resign within five minutes, if the party directs him to do so.

Mr Vishnuvardhan Reddy’s demand for resignation was preceded by a chaotic BJP state executive meeting, which witnessed heated argument between state party president Kambhampati Haribabu and senior party leader Lakshmipathi Raja.

When Mr Raja expressed displeasure over the way the state unit was being run, Mr Haribabu tried to remind him about the party’s rules and regulations.

Mr Raja accused top BJP leaders in the state of being too soft towards the TD in the state, which led to the TD undermining the interests of the BJP in the state.

Responding to Mr Haribabu’s remarks about the party rules, Mr Raja asked him not to suspect the integrity of any leader in the party.

“We are equally responsible and sensible. We know as to how to maintain the decorum of the party,” Mr Raja said.

The heated argument between the two leadersissue ended only after the intervention of minister Manikyala Rao, Purandheswari, Somu Veerraju and others.

Earlier in the day, BJP state president gave a detail rebuttal of the TD’s allegations against the BJP. He had urged party leaders and cadre to disseminate the facts to the people.

Later, speaking to the media, BJP floor leader P. Vishnukumar Raju said that they will play the role of Opposition and felt that the TD was not properly following the alliance dharma. “We will revert back the attack of the TD,” he said.