Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram has taken a decisive stance against party defection and disqualified eight Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs). The disqualification came after petitions from the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) alleged violations of party discipline and actions incompatible with the parties' expectations.
The disqualified MLAs from the YSRCP include Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, Mekapati Chandrasekhar Reddy, Kotam Reddy Sridhar Reddy, and Undavalli Sridevi. The TDP's petition resulted in the disqualification of Maddalagiri, Karanam Balaram, Vallabhaneni Vamsi, and Vasupalli Ganesh.
The disqualification of the MLAs has significant implications for the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. It could lead to a shift in the balance of power in the Assembly and potentially necessitate by-elections to fill the vacant seats.
The move by the Speaker is seen as a step to curb party defection, which undermines the democratic fabric and the mandate given by voters. The decision is expected to spark discussions and debates within political circles regarding the consequences and the potential implications for future party defections.