Schism in Andhra govt out in open, deputy CM slams Kiran Reddy

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh deputy chief minister Damodara Rajanarasimha lambasted chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy late on Saturday evening over his statement opposing the proposed bifurcation of the state, and said it didn't matter whether Reddy remained in his post or quit.

"Kiran was not elected as chief minister by the MLAs. He lobbied hard in New Delhi and became CM through a sealed cover. It doesn't matter if he remains CM or not," Damodara lashed out, speaking on the sidelines of a function here tonight.

Reacting angrily to the chief minister's claims, made at a press conference on Friday, the deputy CM said there would be no "water wars" (between Telangana and Seemaandhra) upon the division.

"The dream of Telangana people is set to be realized. It will not create any sort of problems to anyone," he asserted.

He wondered what Reddy did all these years when the Congress favoured creation of Telangana state.

On Reddy's remark that the "match is not over till the last ball is bowled", the deputy CM said, "There is no bat, no ball."