The ruling Congress Party’s decision to act tough against the MLAs who voted against the government in support of Jagan is likely to change political equations in Andhra Pradesh. The upcoming by-polls will decide who stays put and who vacates from the political scene in preparation for the 2014 general elections.
“The Congress Legislature Party will initiate the procedure to petition the Speaker for disqualification of the erring MLAs,” Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy told the media this evening after the meeting with party chief Sonia Gandhi.
With Congress Party’s move, almost a mini general election is imminent in Andhra Pradesh in the next few months. As many 18 MLAs had gone against their respective party whip during the recent no-confidence motion. Already 7 seats are vacant in the Assembly. That makes it 25 seats to which by-polls are likely to be held in the next three to five months to coincide with ensuing Uttar Pradesh elections.
Both YSR Congress Party and Telangana Rasthra Samithi are anticipating the elections with bated breath as they believe they will have bright chances at the hustings in the present political atmosphere in the state.
The ruling Congress and the opposition TDP are not too enthusiastic about the polls at this stage, given their parties are going through an unfavourable phase politically.
However, the Congress Party seems to have resolved to face the polls and make an all-out effort to gain its lost credibility. The TDP too has no other option but to test its strength.
The coming days are gala time for political folks in the state!
