TRS chief's resignation from LS accepted

Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief K Chandrasekhara Rao said on Saturday that Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee has accepted his resignation from the membership of the lower house.

Rao told reporters after his meeting with the Speaker that his resignation has been accepted.

He had sent a letter to Chatterjee on September 12, quitting his Karimnagar seat following a war of words with Andhra Congress leaders who challenged him to quit the seat and seek fresh mandate on the separate Telangana issue.

Rao, along with his party colleague A Narendra, had quit the United Progressive Alliance ministry on August 22.

Following his resignation, the strength of TRS in the Lok Sabha is reduced to four.

Indications are that Rao would contest the Karimnagar bypoll whenever it is held.

TRS sources said Rao is likely to meet President A P J Abdul Kalam on September 26 and submit a letter to him, pulling out of UPA.