Big setback for Congress in Telangana

As many as twelve Congress lawmakers have defected to the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, pushing the Grand Old Party out of the seat of the leader of the opposition of the state assembly.

It is not a surprise for the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee. It is well aware that not everything is right inside the party.

Earlier, at least 11 Congress lawmakers expressed their intention to leave the party for the TRS, the party which rules the state of Telangana.

What prevented their departure then was the existence of the anti-defection law, which could take away their position as the lawmakers.

Now, the resignation of N Uttam Kumar Reddy from his MLA position and the unexpected support the dissident faction has received from Congress lawmaker Rohith Reddy have offered the right opportunity unfreeze their frozen political action.

As per the anti-defection law, the law is not applicable if the defected constitutes at least two-third of the total strength of the party of the defected in the concerned lawmaking house.

Earlier, with just eleven lawmakers, the dissident faction of the TPCC lacked at least two supporters as then the TPCC’s total strength was eighteen – Its two-third is close to thirteen.

The resignation of the MLA seat of the leader, who has won a lower house seat from the state in the recent general election, has brought down the required two-third majority to twelve from thirteen.

When that additional one to this dissident eleven has been provided by the new supporter, the last hurdle between the TRS and them has been surmounted with much easiness.

Telangana Assembly Speaker Pocharam Srinivas Reddy has recognised the switch over of the Congress leaders to the TRS.

It seems that it is high time for the Congress to formulate a strategy to overcome the unpleasant situation in which the party is now.

Vignesh. S. G
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