BJP MLA Raja Singh Quits Party; Submits Resignation To Kishan Reddy
I remain fully committed to the ideology of Hindutva and the service of our dharma and the people of Goshamahal: Raja Singh
Hyderabad: BJP Goshamahal MLA T. Raja Singh on Monday resigned from the party primary membership in protest against the Central leadership’s decision to appoint veteran leader N. Ramchander Rao as the new Telangana party chief.
In the process, Raja Singh risked losing his Assembly seat under the provisions of anti-defection Law. As per the 10th Schedule of the Constitution, “a member of a House belonging to any political party shall be disqualified for being a member of the House if he has voluntarily given up his membership of such political party.”
If the BJP accepts his resignation, and Assembly Speaker G. Prasada Rao complies with the anti-defection law, the capital will witness bypolls for two constituencies: Jubilee Hills, following the death of BRS MLA Maganti Gopinath, and Goshamahal to elect Raja Singh’s replacement.
Apparently in full knowledge of the Constitutional provisions, the Goshamahal MLA dared Union minister and outgoing BJP state chief G. Kishan Reddy to accept his resignation and communicate to the Speaker that “he is no more a member of the party.”
The BJP, which boasts of its tough stand against leaders crossing the ;Lakshman Rekha;, is said to have been hesitating to act on the resignation which would strip Raja Singh of his Assembly membership. Ironically, spokesperson G. Rani Rudrama asked Raja Singh to submit his resignation to the Speaker if he was sincere about quitting as MLA, though the party had an opportunity to send strong message to dissidents by accepting his resignation and seeking his disqualification.
“As per party guidelines, the resignation of leaders serving as MLAs and MPs should be decided by the Central committee. We will forward his resignation letter for their consideration but will give chance to Raja Singh to reconsider his decision before that,” a senior party leader told Deccan Chronicle.
It was not for the first time that Raja Singh crossed the ‘Lakshman Rekha’ and left the party in an embarrassing situation with his frequent outbursts against, and open criticism of, state leaders, in particular Kishan Reddy. On Monday also, he put up a dramatic act, claiming that he was denied an opportunity to file his nomination papers though in reality he did not fulfill the party conditions.
“Raja Singh was given nomination papers when he came to state headquarters. But, as per the party constitution, at least 10 members of the state council should sign in support of the candidate while he could muster the support of only three,” Rani Rudrama told reporters and accused Raja Singh of resorting to gross lies. Party sources said union minister of state Bandi Sanjay tried his best to convince Raja Singh to remain in the party but the latter stuck to his position and left the party office.
