Commercial Taxes Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav has denied allegations of faking his resignation as TDP MLA to get inducted into the State Cabinet.
Addressing a press conference at the State Secretariat here on Tuesday, Talasani claimed that he had handed over his resignation letter to Assembly Speaker S Madhusudan Chary before taking oath as minister on December 16, 2014 itself. Taking out a copy of resignation letter from his pocket, he said he gave the same letter to the Speaker and also distributed its copies to the media. He said he did not cheat anyone as being alleged by the opposition parties. “I’m a senior politician and have contested the Assembly elections six times in my career. I’m ready to face the by-elections. I have highest respect for the Constitution and democracy and I did not err in submitting my resignation,” he said.
Talasani said that the Speaker would take action as per the procedure and set precedents.
Citing instances of defections in the past, Talasani asked TDP and Congress leaders to specify how many legislators have resigned before joining other parties. He said M Narasimhulu joined TDP from Congress when it was in power. Similarly, nine TRS MLAs not only defected but voted for an independent candidate in MLC polls in clear violation of Anti-Defection Law. After how many months the resignations of Congress MLAs, who later joined YSRCP, were accepted? YSRCP MPs including SPY Reddy and K Geetha, several MLAs and many Congress MLCs have defected to the TDP. “AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu wants to have two different policies for two States. While encouraging defections in AP, he is targeting me in Telangana,” he said.
The Minister said his case not isolated and the Speaker would act as per the law and procedures. He strongly condemned Congress leaders Mohammed Ali Shabbir and Gandra Venkatramana Reddy for demanding cheating case under Section 420 against him. “Why did Uttam Kumar and Shabbir Ali, who were ministers in YSR’s cabinet, when their Chief Minister lured nine TRS MLAs into the Congress?” he asked and threatened to expose Shabbir Ali and Gandra if they continue to criticise him.
Talasani also ridiculed TDP leaders for making a representation to the Governor on the issue. “Since the Governor is same for the both the States, they should have also made representation on the cases of defection in Andhra Pradesh,” he said. Referring to TDP MLA Revanth Reddy, he said, “Even a thief who was caught red-handed in MLC elections is speaking about me.”
Stating that he was not afraid of facing by-elections, Talasani maintained that there was no controversy surrounding his resignation from the MLA’s post. (INN)