Two Congress MLAs set to join TRS

HYDERABAD: The Congress suffered a body blow days before the March 12 MLC elections with two of its tribal MLAs, Atram Sakku and Rega Kantha Rao from Asifabad and Pinapaka constituencies, deciding to join the ruling TRS on Sunday. TDP MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, who won from Sathupalle, is also likely to walk into the TRS camp soon.
The two Congress MLAs also issued a joint statement confirming their decision to join the TRS.The MLAs, who met CM K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday, said they were joining the TRS as the CM has assured them of resolving issues pertaining to Scheduled Tribals (STs), especially concerns over podu land. They said the tribal areas would reap the benefits if they strengthen the hands of the state government and reposed faith in KCR's leadership to bring development to backward areas. "We will meet the CM again and also consult legal experts regarding the impact of joining the TRS. We are ready to resign from House membership and contest again on TRS ticket if required," the joint statement said.
Saturday's intense developments came as a shot in the arm for the TRS as its MLA tally in the legislative assembly is set to go up to 92 and that of the Congress falling from 19 to 17.
Sources said the decision of the two ST legislators could not have come at a worse time for the Congress, which may end up having no representation for the first time in the state legislative council.
TRS has 98 votes now
The Congress earlier had two members in the council and has fielded party treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy now. The party requires 21 votes to win and was hoping against hope that with its 19 members and two from the TDP it could retain at least one seat in the council. Elections to five MLA quota seats in the council are scheduled to be held on March 12.
The ruling TRS is contesting four seats and has left the fifth seat to its ally MIM. For winning an MLC seat, a party requires 21 MLAs' votes. While the TRS won 88 seats in the December assembly elections, two independent MLAs had already joined the party taking the tally to 90. Along with one nominated MLA and seven MLAs of MIM, the TRS has 98 votes of the total requirement of 105 votes for winning five seats. With the joining of two Congress MLAs and one TDP MLA, the number could reach 101. Sources said the TRS is hoping to get four more Congress MLAs to reach its goal of 105 MLAs. "We have time till March 12 to do that," a senior leader said.