Why Are Defectors Not Debarred Even After Court Notices? 

Hyderabad: YSR Congress party on Wednesday demanded that Assembly Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao disqualify all the 20 MLAs who had defected from YSRC to ruling Telugu Desam Party, in the wake of the High Court notices to four defectors who have been made ministers.

Party spokesperson Ambati Rambabu told the media that the Speaker had failed to tackle the issue as mandated by the anti-defection law and followed the instructions of Chief Minister by allowing the turncoats to continue as members of the House.

“This is unethical and all the members who changed sides should seek a fresh mandate as they have won on YSRCP symbol. Exploiting some loopholes, the issue was kept pending and four of the defectors were also given cabinet berths as well. This is highly objectionable and unconstitutional,” he said.

Ambati demanded that the provisions of anti-defection law should be invoked by the Speaker to uphold the dignity of the high office he was holding.

“If the Speaker fails to discharge to his duties properly, the entire system of democracy will get crippled," he said. In wake of the High Court, responding to a PIL, issuing notices to four ministers, who earlier defected to the ruling party.