Andhra CM K Rosaiah quits, who is next?

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday announced his decision to step down from his post citing citing health reasons.

Playing down his resignation, Rosaiah said his resignation was not dictated by political pressures.

"I quit from the post of Chief Minister. It is not politically motivated. I have carried forward the agenda set by the late chief minister YS Rajashekhar Reddy," said Rosaiah in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

Andhra CM K Rosaiah quits, hunt on for successor

Claiming that he did not belong to any group in the Congress, Rosaiah said that he was satisfied with his work.

"I served the party like a soldier. I worked to the satisfaction of the people of Andhra Pradesh. If I have hurt anybody or done anything wrong, it has not been not deliberate," he said.

Refusing to name his successor, he said that the decision to name his successor would be taken by the Congress High Command. He added that he was not quitting politics.

Union Law Minister and state incharge Veerappa Moily denied any links of Rosiah's resignation with the Jagan factor.

"He has not resigned for any governance reason but purely personal reason," said Moily. A three member committee that includes Pranab Mukherjee, Veerappa Moily and Ahmed Patel are expected to reach Hyderabad on Wednesday evening to find a replacement.

Who will succeed Rosaiah

Even as speculation is rife as to who will succeed Rosaiah, sources have told CNN-IBN that the Congress party wants to have a Reddy leader as the Chief Minister.

The Telengana lobby in the Andhra Congress is pushing for Reddy leader from Telengana.

But Rayalseema MLAs could push for a leader from their region as the new CM should have the political strength to tackle Jagan Reddy.

The main contenders for the post of the CM are Rayalseema leader Kiran Kumar Reddy whose vast political experience could go in his favour.

Union Minister Jaipal Reddy, a Reddy face from Telengana, is also a strong contender for the post.

Sashidar Reddy, another Reddy face from Telengana could also be considered for the post as he is seen to have the ability to handle Telengana and Andhra factions.

Geeta Reddy, one of the few women leaders from Andhra and also a Dalit face from Telengana, is also in the fray.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/andhra-pradesh-cm-k-rosaiah-resigns/135744-37-64.html?from=tn