HYDERABAD: The resignations of the six Ministers belonging to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), put on hold for several days now, have been forwarded to the Governor for acceptance.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy sent the letters of resignation to Governor Sushil Kumar Shinde on Saturday with a recommendation to relieve the Ministers. This development followed a message to him from the AICC leadership that he could accept the resignations as the TRS leadership was unwilling to take them back.

Five of the TRS Ministers -- A. Chandrasekhar, G. Vijayarama Rao, T. Harish Rao, N. Narasimha Reddy and V. Lakshmikantha Rao -- put in their papers to the Governor on July 4. Dr. Reddy left on a foreign assignment on the same day refusing to comment on the resignations. The sixth Minister, S. Santosh Reddy, initially refused to resign but relented and handed over his letter to the Chief Minister on July 13 saying that he did not want to show disrespect to him.

The TRS leadership cited neglect of Telangana in general and the haughty temper of the Chief Minister whom it singled out for criticism.

TRS demands

It declared that, henceforth it would deal directly with the AICC but was persuaded to agree to a meeting with Dr. Reddy in New Delhi to discuss six of its demands, including the implementation of 610 GO on preference for locals in postings in Telangana and shifting of the Pulichintala project from the proposed site.

This brings down the curtains on a two-week-long suspense over the Ministers' resignations and the future of the 13-month-old coalition. The significance of this development is not lost on the TRS as it comes two days ahead of its public meeting (on July 18) at Warangal to display its strength to the AICC and also to explain to people the circumstances leading to the resignations.

Meanwhile, the Telangana Congress leaders have resolved not to yield the political space relating to the Telangana sentiment. They have begun applying pressure on the party high command to give them a greater say in matters relating to Telangana.

Meanwhile, speaking to newsmen, the TRS president and Union Minister, K. Chandrasekhara Rao, expressed the hope hoped that the UPA sub-committee would finalise its report on July 24. Mr. Rao said he expected a change in the Chief Minister's attitude towards Telangana after their meeting on July 20. He denied that the resignation by TRS Ministers was triggered by the warnings of the Maoists. The TRS meeting at Warangal would expose the conspiracy of the forces which were out to malign it, he added.

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