Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Sujana Chowdary Resign

As was widely reported would happen, the two Telugu Desam Party ministers in the union cabinet - Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Minister of State for Science & Technology Y S Chowdary - handed over their resignations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, the official residence of the Prime Minister, today.

A few hours after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had said that the Centre wouldn't offer Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh but would offer a special package with equivalent funding, TDP supremo and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had announced on Wednesday night that his party men would exit the union cabinet. The TDP came through on its decision today and withdrew its two leaders from the Modi cabinet.

Speaking to the media later, Raju said that Chowdary and he had submitted their resignations to the Prime Minister, but that the TDP was still continuing in the BJP-led NDA.

"Despite leaving the cabinet, we will continue to strive for finding a solution to our State's problems," he said.

He also expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving him a place in the union cabinet.

Raju said that the people of Andhra Pradesh wanted the Union government to fulfill the assurances mentioned in the A P Reorganization Act, and that the decision by Naidu was a reflection of the people's will.