HYDERABAD: The pro-Jagan Congress MLAs are reportedly being advised by a former speaker of Karnataka because of which the office of Nadendla Manohar wants to be extra careful in dealing with the disqualification notices, sources said.
For example, Rayadurg MLA Kapu Ramachandra Reddy first announced that he did not receive the party whip. However, upon enquiries, the speaker’s office learnt that the whip notice was actually pasted on the front door of the MLA’s residence when he was not available.
However, on the insistence of the MLA, the Congress legislature party issued him a fresh copy of the whip. Ramachandra Reddy then sought a fresh notice from the speaker.
“Likewise, Prajarajyam MLA Shobha Nagi Reddy first claimed that the party whip was not applicable to her, later she resigned on her own, and now, she has submitted a detailed reply to the disqualification notice. They are being guided by some experienced people. So, the speaker has decided to take extra precautions so that his decision would not invite legal review,” said the sources.
All the 17 rebel Congress MLAs have been directed by the speaker’s office to appear before Manohar personally between January 18 and 21. Notices were issued to the legislators to this effect on Thursday.
As per the schedule, Shoba Nagi Reddy and K Ramachandra Reddy will have to meet the speaker on January 18 and Amaranath Reddy, Srikanth Reddy, D Krishnadas, G Baburao, Konda Sureka and B Srinivasa Reddy have been given appointments for the next day.
On January 20, Gurunatha Reddy, Chenna Kesava Reddy, Mekapati Chandrasekar Reddy, Prasada Raju, Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose and Sucharita will meet the Speaker while on January 21, it will be P Ramakrishna Reddy, P Balaraju and B Srinivasulu.