This Article is From Aug 22, 2013

TDP MP Harikrishna resigns from Rajya Sabha over bifurcation issue

New Delhi: TDP MP and son of N T Rama Rao, N Harikrishna today resigned from Rajya Sabha in protest against the decision to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh.

Harikrishna, 57, said he met Rajya Sabha Chairman M Hamid Ansari this morning and submitted his resignation.

Deputy Chairman P J Kurien informed the House that the Chairman has accepted his resignation.

Talking to PTI, Harikrishna alleged that the decision to bifurcate the state was taken by Congress to reap political benefit in the coming Lok Sabha elections.

"By this decision, they (Congress) killed the Telugu spirit. They did it to make Rahul Gandhi next Prime Minister after the Lok Sabha polls," he said.

Striking an emotive note, Harikrishna, son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N T Rama Rao, recalled the steps taken by his late father to keep the state united.

"My father stood firmly for the cause of united Andhra Pradesh. Now it is shattered. My conscience would not allow me to continue (as Rajya Sabha MP)," he said.

The TDP leader, who had announced his resignation few days back, had alleged that the Congress leadership announced the division without resolving the crucial issues like water sharing.

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