Hyderabad, Aug 1 (IANS): At least 15 legislators from Rayalaseema and Andhra regions of Andhra Pradesh Thursday submitted their resignations to protest the Congress' decision to carve out Telangana state.

While eight legislators including senior leaders J.C. Diwakar Reddy and Gade Venkat Reddy submitted their resignations to legislature secretary at the assembly, two lawmakers submitted their letters to state Congress president.

Five other legislators including one from the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) faxed their resignation letters to the nspeaker's office.

Two members of legislative council have also submitted their resignation to the chairman.

Diwakar Reddy told reporters at the assembly that they submitted their resignations in deference to the sentiments of the people of Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra). He said they would now join the people's movement for keeping the state united.

Earlier, as many as 15 ministers and 26 legislators of the Congress party decided to submit resignations. They met at the ministers' quarters here to chalk out their future course of action.

The ministers would meet Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy later to submit their resignations.

The leaders demanded that Congress Working Committee (CWC) reconsider its decision to carve out Telangana state.

An MP and six legislators had submitted their resignations Monday, when CWC took the decision to split the state

Sixteen of the 17 legislators of YSR Congress party from Seemandhra had last week resigned to thwart any move by the centre to carve out Telangana state.