Resignation option open to protest Andhra Pradesh division: Kiran Kumar Reddy

Wondering whether the Centre even had a policy for dividing a state, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today said resigning from his post was one of the options before him to protest the proposed bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

The Congress leader, however, remained non-committal about floating a new political party on the united AP plank. He demanded that people's mandate be obtained in the coming elections before bifurcating Andhra Pradesh.

"My resignation is one of the options. I am consulting all my colleagues. We are staying in our posts only to stall the division of state," the Chief Minister said.

Kiran said he was in consultations with Union Ministers, MPs and legislators (from Seemandhra) on the issue.

"Does the GoI have a policy for dividing a state? AP is the only state that is being sought to be divided without any policy. Let them divide if people of the state so wish," Kiran told reporters in an informal chat this afternoon.

Noting that a state could not be bifurcated because of "suicides or sentiment", he wanted the Centre to obtain people's mandate in the coming elections and only then carry out the division. "Let the people decide what they wanted." "Bifurcation is already the main issue," Kiran shot back when asked if it would be one of the election issues.

He maintained the bifurcation could not be carried out forcibly. "They should first explain the reasons for division.

There should be a detailed discussion in Parliament." Assembly election is due in Andhra Pradesh along with Lok Sabha polls.

On speculation that he might float a new political party, Kiran said no decision has been taken yet in this regard.

"Consultations are on over our future course of action," he added.