Hyderabad : Ministers T G Venkatesh and Erasu Pratapa Reddy denied reports that they expressed wish to quit the Congress party and the cabinet, protesting against state’s division.

The two said they would abide by the decision of the Congress High Command. Explaining that they did not say they would resign, the ministers said they would take the sentiments of the people of the region to the notice of the Congress leadership. They would strongly voice their demand for keeping the state united, the ministers added. They also expressed the view that a separate Rayalaseema state also should be created, if backwardness were to be the criterion for creation of new states.

It may be recalled that there were reports that he Seemandhra ministers had decided to resign, if the state were to be divided. Media reports also stated that the ministers had decided to bring pressure on the central ministers and MPs of the region to quit.