Andhra opposition MPs meet poll panel, ask for TDP's

A delegation of MPs from Andhra Pradesh's opposition YSRCP party today asked the Election Commission to "derecognise" the state's ruling Telugu Desam Party for allegedly violating provisions of the Constitution and election laws.
YSR Congress Party MPs met Chief Election Commissioner Achal Kumar Joti and alleged that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had made an "undemocratic" speech in Nandyala constituency and threatened to withdraw welfare schemes if people did not vote for him, party leader Y V Subba Reddy said.
The constituency is scheduled to hold a by-election following the death of TDP MLA Bhuma Nagi Reddy.
"In the speech in Nandyala constituency on 22 June, Chief Minister Naidu had told people not to use roads and forego pensions if they were not willing to vote for him," Lok Sabha MP Y V Subba Reddy wrote in a letter.

The delegation also submitted newspaper clippings and CDs to back its allegations.
"Nandyala constitutency is about to face a by-election. Even before the notification, TDP was indulging in luring people by spending money lavishly," Reddy said.

The delegation also informed the Election Commission about alleged irregularities in the constituency by the TDP and demanded that the by-poll be conducted under the purview of central forces.
"We have also sought action against officials in the government who were supporting the ruling party," Reddy said.
The MPs alleged that Naidu had violated the anti- defection law by luring 21 of its MLAs to join his party.

YSRCP has six MPs in the Lok Sabha from Andhra Pradesh and one in the Rajya Sabha.
The delegation included MPs Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, V Vijayasai Reddy, Butta Renuka, Varaprasad Rao Velagapalli, P V Midhun Reddy and Y S Avinash Reddy were among the delegation.