YSRCP to move no-confidence motion against TDP Government

Vijayawada: The opposition YSR Congress is mulling the option of moving a no-confidence motion against the TDP government in the upcoming Budget session of Andhra Pradesh Assembly, to build a strong legal case against its MLAs who recently crossed over to the ruling party.

YSRC deputy leader in the Assembly, Jyothula Nehru, said they might move a no-confidence motion if the state Budget, to be presented on March 10 during the session which begins on March 5, is not satisfactory. "The TDP government so far failed to keep its promises and has been adopting anti-people policies. If the Budget is not satisfactory, we will move a no-confidence motion against the government. We may also move a no-confidence motion against Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao," Nehru told reporters after a meeting of the YSRC Legislature Party today.

Some YSRC legislators said the proposed no-confidence motion was aimed at building a strong legal case against its MLAs who defected to the TDP. Six YSRC MLAs switched sides to TDP since Monday last. By moving a no-confidence motion, the YSRC gets to issue a whip to its MLAs, and whoever violates it will be liable for disqualification. Also, the same ground could be used against the defectors if the matter is taken to court.

The YSRC discussed these issues at its Legislature Party meeting chaired by its chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy. Our case for disqualification of the defected MLAs becomes stronger if the whip is violated. It may also act as a deterrent to others who are waiting to jump sides, a senior YSRC legislator pointed out. Interestingly, nearly 10 MLAs did not attend the Legislature party meeting today amid speculation about the possible defection by more legislators.

Senior MLA G Srikanth Reddy dismissed the talk and said his colleagues had valid reasons for their absence. Separately, Jagan held talks with his party MLAs from Nellore district to ascertain if any of them was on way out. The MLAs, however, were said to have assured Jagan that there was no question of their leaving the party.

The opposition party's strength in the 175-member AP Assembly has fallen to 61 because of the cross over of the MLAs, while the TDP's number has risen to 110. Accusing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of alluring and purchasing some of his party MLAs, the YSR Congress president had last week dared him to get the defected legislators to resign from their posts and seek a fresh mandate.