Cong to petition Speaker for rebel MLAs' disqualification

The Congress Party has decided to initiate disciplinary action against 16 MLAs who voted against the State Government in favour of YSR Congress Party during the No Confidence Motion in the assembly.

"The Congress Legislature Party is filing of disqualification of the members who have defied the whip and voted against the direction of the party," Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy informed the media after meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi and other senior leaders here on Saturday. He said that the CLP would file its petition before the Speaker seeking disqualification of rebel MLAs under the 10th Schedule 2 (1) B.

The Chief Minister said that it was unethical and unfair on part of MLAs to vote against the party on whose symbol they got elected. He said the violation of party whip was against the democratic norms. He said that the Congress Legislature Party would meet soon to initiate the action against the rebel MLAs. He said an explanation would be sought from the MLAs who abstained from voting during the No Confidence Motion. The CLP would also discuss possible action against the associate members like S Satyanarayana, who got elected as an independent, for violating the party whip.

Earlier, the Chief Minister had a detailed discussion with Sonia Gandhi and Union Health Minister and in-charge of AP affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad on various issues including Telangana. "Lot of consultation has taken place. Once the consultation process is over, the high command and centre will take a decision," he said. The Chief Minister maintained that 'little more consultation' was required to resolve the issue and said, "Whatever is good for the State and all regions will be done by the Centre and the party High Command."

Kiran Kumar Reddy said that the party would soon take a decision about the post to be given to Chiranjeevi and the PRP MLAs. He said the cabinet expansion would be done after the High Command gives clearance.

The Chief Minister has also discussed the political, economic and administrative issues related to the State during his meeting with Sonia Gandhi and Azad.