TPCC accuses KCR of 'engineering' defection of 2 MLAs

The Congress in Telangana Sunday announced that it would wage a full scale constitutional battle against Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, accusing him of 'engineering' the defection of two party MLAs.

The announcement comes days ahead of the Legislative Council elections in the state.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President N Uttam Kumar Reddy said the party would stage a 'dharna' in Asifabad and Pinapaka constituencies on March 5 to protest against Rao's alleged action.

He also said a complaint would be lodged with the Election Commission on the issue, seeking immediate disqualification of the two MLAs, Rega KanthaRao (Pinapaka) and Atram Sakku (Asifabad).

Further, he said both the MLAs should not be allowed to vote in the MLC elections to be held on March 12.

Meanwhile,Congress leaders, MLAs and MLCs staged a dharna before the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Assembly premises Sunday to protest against what they alleged was the Chief Minister's latest drive to make opposition MLAs defect to TRS.

In a party release, Reddy charged KCR with turning Telangana into a symbol of "oppression and injustice."