High command rejects demand for Reddy's resignation

With several parties, including Left and the BJP, clamouring for the blood of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, the Congress today started singing the tune of healing touch and rejected demands for Y S Rajasekhar Reddy's resignation in the wake of the Khammam police firing.

"We do not see that it is an occasion to ask for the resignation (of Chief Minister) when constructive, concrete and serious action is being taken," party spokesman Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here.

Singhvi said it is "unfair to link unlinkables and connect the unconnectables" when told that Reddy has been in a series of controversies of late and that regional parties like TDP and TRS have also trained guns at the Chief Minister.

His comments came close on the heels of both CPI(M) and BJP's demands for Reddy's resignation and the Left party's decision to step up its agitation seeking distribution of land to the poor in the state.

Singhvi insisted that the Chief Minister has taken a number of steps to address the problem and has even announced a judicial inquiry into the police firing that claimed six lives in Mudigonda in Khammam district on Saturday.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh earlier in the day spoke to Reddy and expressed regret at the "unfortunate incident" and reiterated the government's commitment to redistribute surplus land and fulfil its stated commitments to the landless.

At the same time, Singhvi sidestepped questions whether the party high command was satisfied with the performance of the Chief Minister.

Party sources feel any action against the Chief Minister at this point of time could prove counter-productive for the organisation.