Hyderabad, June 23: T. Devender Goud, senior Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and former minister resigned today from the party and the assembly following differences over Telangana statehood issue with the party leadership.

Goud, sent his resignation letter to the party president N. Chandrababu Naidu.

A member of the party's politburo, Goud was considered as Number Two in the party hierarchy and is a strong supporter of the Telangana statehood cause.

A backward class leader from Ranga Reddy District, Goud has, off late, emerged a rallying point for protagonists of separate Telangana state within the TDP.

He had been pressurising the leadership for an early decision on the demand for a separate Telangana state.