The 12 MLAs of the Congress Party in Telangana who joined the Telangana Rashtra Samiti (TRS) today retaliated to the allegation of their former party that they were lured by the TRS.
Refuting the allegations of the state leadership of the Congress Party, MLA Gandra Venkata Ramana Reddy, one of the 12 MLAs, said that they were not sheep or buffaloes to be purchased. “Congress Party leaders’ comments are surprising. (They say MLAs) joined after being offered inducements, purchased or out of fear. We are not kids to be made to fear. We are not the ones to fall for inducements. We are not sheep or buffaloes to be purchased”, said Reddy.
He said that the MLAs merged with the TRS abiding by the Constitutional provisions. “We, 12 MLAs, met the Speaker on 6th June of this month. It is clearly said in 10th Schedule of the Constitution that of 2/3rd of MLAs wish, they can merge. Accordingly, we met the Speaker on 6th (of June) and gave a letter”, he said.
He added, “We requested the Chief Minister to admit us into TRS Legislature Party. As per that letter, Speaker allowed us to be admitted, for merger”. Reddy rejected Congress’ allegations and said that the decision was taken for people’s welfare and the development of their constituencies.
Reddy asked the Congress Party to introspect for its defeat in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) elections, last year’s Assembly polls, the Lok Sabha elections, and the recent rural local body polls. He said that EVMs cannot be blamed for the Party’s defeat as ballot papers were used in local body polls.
