Prez accepts resignation of TDP Ministers, PM to handle Civil Aviation

New Delhi, Mar 9: A day after two TDP Ministers resigned, protesting against not granting Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday accepted their resignation.

'The President, as advised by the Prime Minister, has accepted the resignation of Ashok Gajapathi Raju and YS Chowdary from the Union Council of Ministers with immediate effect under clause (2) of Article 75 of the Constitution,' a Rashtrapati Bhavan statement said.
The President directed that the Ministry of Civil Aviation, held by Mr Raju, will now be looked after by the Prime Minister.
Amid protest in Parliament and outside against the Centre's refusal to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh, Mr Raju and Mr Chowdary on Thursday evening had submitted their resignation to the Prime Minister.
The Ministers resigned after the announcement made by TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu that he is withdrawing his Ministers from the Union Cabinet as protest against the Centre, which has categorically refused to grant Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.
However, a day after Mr Naidu's outburst against the Centre, Mr Modi spoke to him over phone before the Ministers' resignation.
In a press conference after submitting the resignation, Mr Raju and Mr Chowdary praised the Prime Minister and said they will continue to work with the NDA. UNI