Telangana Row: Andhra CM revolts against Congress leadership

While making it clear that he would never accept the division, he said it was still not too late and the the central government should reconsider the decision.

The chief minister alleged that the central government was ignoring a massive public movement in Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and coastal Andhra) to keep the state united.

"More than 6.5 lakh employees were on strike for 70 to 80 days and three to four lakh people were on streets every day but it seems they (the central government) had closed their eyes and ears," he said.

Though Kiran Reddy had been speaking out against the party decision for last three months, this was his first reaction after Thursday's union cabinet meeting, which approved draft Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill.