In Andhra Pradesh, the Textiles Minister P Sankar Rao has been dropped from the state Council of Ministers. Governor ESL Narasimhan issued orders removing Sankar Rao from the Cabinet this afternoon. After a minor cabinet expansion this morning, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy had recommended to sack Sankar Rao from the cabinet. The Chief Minister will look after the textile portfolio till alternate arrangements made. Sankar Rao has been openly criticizing the Chief Minister and leveling allegations against his cabinet colleagues since the past several days. Our correspondent reports that it was reported that Sankar Rao has been defiant since yesterday about the direction by the Congress party High Command to put in his papers. Left with no option, Chief Minister had recommended his removal from the Cabinet.