Oppn lawmakers who joined TRS must quit, seek re-election: PC 

Hyderabad: Congress leader P Chidambaram today accused ruling TRS of weakening democracy by inducting elected representatives from other parties and maintained Constitutional authorities in Telangana are not discharging their duty by disqualifying such lawmakers.

"We acknowledge that in a free and fair election, K Chandrasekhar Rao's TRS won and he got elected as Telangana Chief Minister. Whether the Government delivers or not, it is bound to uphold fundamental principles of democracy," he said, addressing a meeting of Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee.

The former Finance Minister was referring to the delay in taking a decision on the matter of disqualifying Opposition members who had switched loyalty to ruling TRS.

"The ruling party and Opposition should have certain space. If the ruling party denies the Opposition legitimate space then democracy is in danger. You are not simply weakening Opposition...you are weakening democracy." A number of MLAs, MLCs and MPs of Congress and other Opposition parties have joined TRS since 2014 polls.

Chidambaram said he was particularly perturbed by the fact that despite the TRS having a comfortable majority, it "poached" MLAs, MLCs and MPs from Opposition parties.

"It is a sad day when an MP, MLA or MLA elected on the symbol of a party crosses over but does not resign his office.

An honest politician, if he wants to cross over to another party, must resign and cross over," the Rajya Sabha MP said.

"Anti-defection law says if you leave your party you lose (House membership) and the Speaker should decide on this.

Unfortunately in Telangana, with great regret, I have to say the Speaker did not discharge his constitutional duty.

"And when people took the matter to Court...it is a matter of deep regret the Court also so far has not discharged its constitutional duty," the former Home Minister said.

"If constitutional authorities do not discharge their obligations this is a kind of mockery of Constitution. What you find in Telangana today is a mockery of Constitution." Chidambaram said lawmakers who crossed over from Congress, TDP or other parties to TRS should resign and seek re-election. "...let them resign and contest by-elections...

people will decide."

"Since, they will not resign I sincerely hope the honourable Speaker will discharge his constitutional duty and take a decision on whether defection took place or not." He accused both the Central and Telangana Governments of not fulfilling promises they made to people before polls.

"Chandrasekhar Rao had promised 3 acres of land to each Dalit farmer. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) had promised to put Rs 15 lakh in bank accounts of people."

--PTI