Hyderabad: On the directions of the High Court, the Telangana state Legislative Council on Thursday submitted the entire records with respect to the disqualification of three MLCs on the grounds of defection to the Congress from the TRS.
Mr J. Ramachander Rao, Additional AG (AAG), placed the records which convinced the chairman to disqualify the three MLCs. They include print and electronic media reports and video footage containing the statements of the three MLCs about the change of party.
The division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Raghavendra Singh Chauhan and Justice Shameem Akther was dealing with the petitions of the disqualified MLCs — Mr K. Yadava Reddy, Mr R. Bhupathi Reddy and Mr Ramulu Naik. They had filed individual petitions challenging the Council Chairman’s decision to disqualify them.
The AAG, appearing for the Legislative Council chairman, told the court that the decision to disqualify the three MLCs was taken following the principles of natural justice and only after issuing notices to them. He submitted that Mr Bhupathi Reddy had agreed before the chairman about his decision to change his party when he was asked for an explanation on the TRS petition to take action against him. The AAG also submitted that Mr Bhupathi Reddy participated in the Congress’ public meeting which party president Rahul Gandhi attended.
On Thursday, the court was concerned that the Centre had not presented submissions in countering the contentions raised by Mr Bhupathi Reddy. The cases were adjourned to Friday for further arguments.
