Arguments on the petition of Telangana Rashtra Samithi seeking disqualification of three MLCs were concluded before Chairman of the Legislative Council K. Swamy Goud here on Saturday. The Chairman has reserved his decision on the issue.
Following defection of three of its MLCs – R. Bhoopathi Reddy, K. Yadava Reddy and S. Ramulu Naik – into Congress before the recent Assembly elections, Government Whip Palla Rajeshwar Reddy lodged a complaint with the Council Chairman requesting the disqualification of the members on the grounds of defection to other parties after getting elected on behalf of the TRS.
Complaint was also made against another MLC Konda Muralidhar Rao, but he submitted his resignation immediately after the Assembly election results.
According to officials, counsel for TRS (Government) argued before the Council Chairman that the three MLCs were elected/nominated on behalf of TRS and they should be disqualified for their defection to Congress. Dr. Bhoopathi Reddy contested as the official Congress candidate from Nizambad (Rural) constituency and the two others have joined the Congress party publicly.
Newspaper and video clippings on their joining of Congress were also submitted to the Council Chairman.
Counsels who argued on behalf of the three MLCs submitted to the Chairman that the ground invoked by TRS for the disqualification of their clients were not in tune with anti-defection law. Besides, Mr. Ramulu Naik was not elected as TRS candidate but was nominated by the Governor.
Speaking to news persons later, Mr. Rajeshwar Reddy said their counsel had submitted proof on the defection of the three MLCs and requested action against them as per law.
He stated that the arguments were going on for about a month now and they were awaiting the decision of the Council Chairman.
