Former Andhra CM Kiran Reddy opts out of polls, to continue fight against state bifurcation

Piler: Jai Samaikhyandhra party president N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has opted out of elections in Andhra Pradesh.

Kiran's move came as a major shock not just for his party-men and followers, who were kept in the dark about the decision, but also for political circles.

The former CM began the roadshow from his native Nagaripalle today and later announced the decision of not contesting in the ongoing general elections. Kiran has fielded his brother Nallari Kishan Kumar Reddy from his constituency, Piler and requested people to extend the same support to him.

Though Kiran did not disclose the reasons behind his decision, he said he opted out only to ensure his party’s success in the elections and said he would continue to fight against the division of the state.

Kiran said he was extremely pained by the unilateral decision of Congress party to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh to which all the opposition parties including Telugu Desam, BJP, YSR Congress agreed to. He added, “I stepped down and floated a new party for Andhra Pradesh’s integrity”.

Giving statistical figures, Kiran said bifurcation of state would cast a spell of doom on both Telangana as well as Seemandhra region, while power-hungry political parties like Telugu Desam and YSR Congress were resorting to divisive politics.

Reiterating his party's commitment for united Andhra Pradesh, Kiran added that he was still fighting against division of the state and the matter was under the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction.

Simultaneous polls to Lok Sabha and undivided Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly would be held in Telangana region on April 30 followed by Seemandhra on May 7.