Harish Rao Letter: Targets Rahul Gandhi Over Defections
- Harish Rao questions Rahul Gandhi on anti defection law in Telangana
- BRS leader cites Danam Nagender case and Assembly Speaker decision
Hyderabad: Harish Rao letter targeting Rahul Gandhi over the anti defection issue in Telangana has intensified the political debate over party switching by legislators. The BRS Legislature Party deputy leader questioned the Congress leadership on what he described as double standards regarding the Constitution and the Anti defection law.
In an open letter addressed to the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha on Friday, T Harish Rao raised concerns about the dismissal of disqualification petitions filed against 10 defected MLAs in Telangana. According to him, the development exposes a contradiction between what Rahul Gandhi says at the national level and what the Congress practices in states where it holds power.
Harish Rao questions Congress stance on anti defection law
In the letter, Harish Rao said Rahul Gandhi often claims that the Congress is committed to protecting the Constitution and strengthening democratic institutions. He also pointed out that the party’s 2024 election manifesto promised to uphold the anti defection framework in order to protect the mandate of voters.
However, Harish Rao said the situation in Telangana presents a different picture. He argued that the Congress government in the state is not following the same principles it promotes at the national level.
He referred specifically to the case of Danam Nagender. According to Harish Rao, the MLA was elected on a BRS ticket but later contested the Lok Sabha elections using an official Congress B Form issued by the party. He said the matter is part of public record and not open to political interpretation.
“Yet the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly, who belongs to the Congress, has stated that there is no evidence of defection. If contesting an election on another party’s B-Form is not defection, the country deserves to know what qualifies as defection under the Tenth Schedule,” he said in the letter.
BRS leader seeks action under anti defection provisions
Harish Rao also said that he had earlier written to the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly requesting action under anti defection provisions. He claimed that he had placed the relevant facts on record while seeking disqualification proceedings.
However, he alleged that the state government is attempting to protect defected legislators rather than defend constitutional norms. According to him, the Anti Defection law was introduced to prevent political opportunism and to safeguard the mandate given by voters.
He warned that allowing legislators to switch parties without consequences would weaken democratic institutions. He therefore questioned whether the Congress leadership would act on the issue.
Addressing Rahul Gandhi directly, Harish Rao asked whether the Congress leader would advise the Telangana Chief Minister and the Assembly Speaker to take action against the MLA under the law.
“The Constitution cannot be defended through words alone. It must be upheld through action, even when it is politically inconvenient,” he said.
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