Thu Sep 12 06:36:59 UTC 2024: ## BRS MLA Placed Under House Arrest to Prevent “Scarf Offering” to Defected MLA
**Hyderabad, India:** Tensions are high in Telangana as the ruling Congress party faces accusations of hypocrisy after appointing a defected MLA, Arekapudi Gandhi, as the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). Gandhi, previously elected on a BRS ticket, joined the Congress in July and is now facing calls for disqualification.
To counter this, BRS MLA P. Kaushik Reddy planned to visit Gandhi’s residence and offer him a BRS scarf, symbolizing a return to his former party. However, the police intervened, placing Reddy under house arrest to prevent him from leaving his home.
The BRS accuses Gandhi of attempting to evade disqualification by claiming to be an opposition member despite his recent switch to the ruling party. The High Court has ordered the Assembly Speaker to decide on disqualification petitions filed against Gandhi and other defectors within four weeks.
The BRS has further demanded the disqualification of nine other defected MLAs, criticizing the Congress for appointing Gandhi to a key post. Meanwhile, Gandhi maintains his position as an opposition member and has stated he will visit Reddy if the BRS MLA does not come to his house.
The political drama in Telangana is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle for power in the state, with the BRS fiercely opposing the Congress’s recent actions. The next few weeks are likely to see further developments in this unfolding saga, as the High Court’s decision on the disqualification petitions is awaited.
First Piper 