While normal life remained paralaysed in Andhra and Rayalseema region for the second consecutive day on Thursday over the Centre's decision to create a separate state of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh appeared to be hurtling towards a deeper political crisis.
Bhatti Ramanadikshutulu, the chief priest of Kodandaramaswamy temple in Tirupati created a stir when he told the reporters that he had mortgaged a diamond necklace worth lakhs of rupees two years ago for an amount of Rs 9 lakhs to a moneylender.
Three ministers from Andhra-Rayalaseema regions submitted their resignations to Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy late on Thursday night even as at least 15 others are understood to have backed out following a stern warning by the high command.