Congress chart on dealing with defected MLAs

Hyderabad: Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) is treading cautiously on the sensitive issue of dealing with defected MLAs. The party is planning to bring pressure on the defected MLAs to remain in the party.

The Congress is contemplating meeting the Assembly Speaker soon to request him to disqualify the party MLAs who switched their loyalties to the ruling TRS.

Already the party has submitted a memorandum to the Governor, demanding dismissal of the government for encouraging defections. Former Union Law Minister Veerappa Moily and CLP leader Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka met the Governor in the last week and submitted the memorandum.

The disciplinary committee of the TPCC headed by Kodanda Reddy issued notices to nine MLAs who wanted to join the ruling party. According to the sources, the MLAs are yet to give reply to the notices.

However, the Congress restrained itself from taking the disciplinary action. The party may not suspend or expel the MLAs of the party. The Congress leaders said the party has prepared the ground to file petitions in the court against the defected MLAs.

Cases may be filed after requesting the Speaker to disqualify. If the Speaker fail to respond, then the Congress would consider the option of going to the court.

On the other hand, the party is planning to meet the President of India to bring pressure on the ruling party not to admit the defected Congress MLAs. The Congress also threatened to would also file a case against the Chief Minister in Lok Pal, alleging abuse of power.

The Congress leaders expressed the hope that the party's move would deter the ruling party from admitting the party MLAs. The leaders are keen to ensure that the MLAs do not migrate to the TRS till the Lok Sabha elections are completed.

If the Congress forms the government at the Centre on its own or with the help of allies, the MLAs, the party leaders hope, would come back into the party's fold.

They said some of the MLAs have half-heartedly agreed to join the ruling party. The Telangana Congress is hoping to win at least six seats in the Lok Sabha elections and party leaders believe that it would reinforce confidence among MLAs.