Defected MLCs want to be on TRSLP’s list

5 TD MLCs pass resolution merging themselves with TRS

The ongoing defection drama took on a new hue, with the five Telugu Desam MLCs, who announced joining the TRS a few weeks ago, now deciding to merge with the TRS.

However, TD floor leader in the Telangana Legislative Council Arikela Narasa Reddy said the act of the five MLCs is not at all legal as they have already announced their intention to join the TRS, which amounts to defection.

On Monday, five out of the seven Telugu Desam MLCs in the Legislative Council — Bodakunti Venkateswarlu, B. Laxminarayana, Patnam Narender Reddy, Vullolla Gangadhar Goud and Mohammed Saleem — informed Council chairman Swamy Goud through a letter that they have met and passed a

Telugu Desam floor leader in the Telangana Legislative Council Arikela Narasa Reddy said that first of all their decision (merger with the TRS) is illegal, under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. Merger of a political party is allowed only if the original party decides. Four or five members cannot decide that.

resolution merging themselves with the TRS.

“At a meeting of the TDLP (Council) held on Monday on the premises of the Council, the merger of all the members of the TDLP into the TRS was discussed. Therefore, we request accepting our merger into the TRS Legislature Party in the Council with immediate effect. Henceforth, our five names may please be shown in the list of the TRS Legislature Party,” the letter added.

They have also informed the chairman that they have the required strength for merger with the TRS under Para 4 of the 10th Schedule of the Constitution.

The TDLP leader, Mr Narasa Reddy, has moved a petition seeking disqualification of the five members from the membership of the House for joining the TRS in the presence of TRS pre- sident and Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao a few weeks ago.

Taking cognisance of the petition by the TD, Mr Swamy Goud served notices to all the members and sought their views on the petition.

Reacting to the latest move by the five TD MLCs, Mr Narasa Reddy said that first of all their decision (merger with the TRS) is illegal, under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. Merger of a political party is allowed only if the original party decides. Four or five members cannot decide that.

Secondly their decision is null and void since they have already defected to the TRS long ago and are facing proceedings of disqualification. When that is pending, they cannot claim to be the TD members. This is a major flaw they have committed, Mr Narasa Reddy said.