Hyderabad: The impact of a large-scale defection of MLAs into the TRS is being felt more by the main opposition party Congress and the Telugu Desam as they are not in a position to put up candidates and win in the ensuing MLC elections to be held between February and March 2017.
For the first time after the formation of Telangana, the TRS and the MIM are thus set to win all the three seats that are to be vacated. In 2015, the Congress had won one seat with their 18-member MLA strength, the TD had put up one candidate and lost.
But due to many Congress and TD MLAs going over to the TRS in the last two years, the Congress’ strength has reduced to 12 and that of TDP to three. With this, the Congress is set to lose one more MLC seat when the term of Magam Rangareddy expires.
TDP MLC V. Gangadhar Gowd, who switched sides to the TRS, will also complete his term by March 2017, but he is sure of a re-nomination by the ruling TRS.
Mr Syed Altaf Hyder Razvi of the MIM will also be completing his term. Thanks to an agreement between the TRS and the MIM, he too is sure of a renomination. Thus all the three vacant seats will be grabbed by the ruling TRS and the MIM.
It will be difficult for the Congress (12 MLAs), Telugu Desam (three MLAs) or for the BJP (five MLAs) either separately or united, to put up a candidate to win at least one seat.
A minimum of 30 MLAs’ support is needed to win one seat. The present arithmetic of Telangana Assembly clearly gives an edge to the TRS and Majlis with a practical strength of over 90 MLAs in a House of 120 (including nominated MLAs).
