After defected MLAs, BRS likely to seek disqualification of defected MLCs

After the Supreme Court's nod on MLA disqualifications, BRS is now eyeing legal action against four MLCs who unofficially shifted allegiance to Congress. Party chief K Chandrashekhar Rao is said to have instructed legal teams to explore disqualification measures.

Hyderabad: Buoyed by the Supreme Court‘s directive on the disqualification of 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress, the BRS is now preparing to train its guns on Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) who have unofficially switched sides to the Congress. The BRS leadership is learnt to have asked its legal cell to explore legal options in this regard.

Sources said the issue came up for discussion during a meeting chaired by BRS chief and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao with party functionaries at his Erravelli residence on Thursday, following the Supreme Court verdict. He is learnt to have asked the party legal cell representatives to examine legal provisions for seeking action against the defected MLCs.

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Though the Council has not yet witnessed official resignations or floor-crossings, BRS leadership is increasingly irked by the open participation of certain MLCs in Congress activities. Four MLCs, Dande Vithal, T Bhanu Prasad Rao, K Damodar Reddy and Patnam Mahender Reddy, have been seen at official government functions, political meetings and Congress party programmes, all while maintaining a studied distance from BRS events.

These MLCs were originally elected on the BRS party symbol from local authorities’ constituencies. However, they allegedly switched sides after the Congress came to power in the State.

BRS leaders argue that elected members, especially those who contested on the party symbol, must be held accountable under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. At present, the BRS has a total of 22 MLCs, including one from a graduate constituency, 12 from local bodies’ constituencies, eight from the MLA quota and two Governor-nominated MLCs. Of these, Yegge Mallesham’s term expired in March this year, and four others have switched loyalties.