BRS MLAs walk out of PAC meeting, allege violation of Assembly traditions

The legislators, led by former Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy, criticise the appointment of Serlingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi as PAC chairman

Hyderabad: The BRS legislators staged a walkout from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting, held at the State Legislative Assembly on Monday, protesting the appointment of Serlingampally MLA Arekapudi Gandhi as the PAC chairman.

The legislators, led by former Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy, criticised the appointment, calling it a blatant violation of Assembly traditions by the ruling Congress.

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Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu‘s claims that Gandhi remains a BRS MLA did little to mollify the opposition, who questioned the party loyalty and motives behind the appointment.

Speaking to mediapersons at Telangana Bhavan later, Prashanth Reddy said the Congress had ‘illegally’ appointed Gandhi in the influential PAC chairman’s position which is traditionally given to the opposition MLA. “Arekapudi Gandhi who defected from BRS to the Congress, was appointed by the Congress against longstanding norms, disregarding T Harish Rao, the candidate recommended by our leader and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao,” he stated. He demanded that the Congress reconsider its decision and honour the traditions at least now.

He reminded that when the BRS was in power, they appointed Congress-suggested candidates, like Krishna Reddy and Geetha Reddy, as the PAC chairpersons. He pointed out that even at the Centre, KC Venugopal recommended by Congress floor leader Rahul Gandhi was appointed as PAC chairman in the Parliament.

“The Congress leaders themselves are contradicting each other, with Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy holding meetings with defected MLAs and TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud defending the induction of opposition MLAs into the party. While Congress MLC T Jeevan Reddy demanded for disqualification of the turncoats, the TPCC campaign committee chairman Madhu Yashki Goud remarked that the MLAs joined the ruling party to protect their properties,” he added.

BRS MLC Satyavathi Rathod condemned the Congress’ bulldoze politics, accusing Congress of rewarding turncoats MLAs. She pointed out that even after the High Court suggested for taking a decision on disqualification of defected MLAs, no steps had been taken. She argued that as the Leader of Opposition, K Chandrashekhar Rao’s recommendation should be honoured in appointment of the PAC chairman.

MLC L Ramana expressed outrage, explaining the critical nature of the PAC Chair position in overseeing government expenditures. “How will the PAC maintain objectivity with Gandhi, who aligns with Congress interests, at the helm of affairs?” he questioned, reiterating BRS concerns over partisan politics threatening the role’s integrity.