Union Textiles Minister resigns over Telangana issue

He also stated that he has not decided whether to continue with Congress even as his supporters were asking him to contest from regional parties such as YSRCP and TDP.

In his resignation letter, Rao said that he could not continue to be a member of the Council of Ministers against his conscience knowing that the Government has caused "irreparable damage" to the state.

"I continued to be part of the Government hoping that the genuine demands of the people of Andhra Pradesh would at least be considered... However no one has listened to my pleadings," he added.

Noting that it was not in the spirit of federal character of the Constitution to pursue bifurcation after the State legislature has rejected it, he said, "I have pointed out that the same will lead to divisive tendencies and history will not remember us kindly. However, my pleadings have fallen on deaf ears."