KTR: Congress excluding BRS MLAs from govt protocols; violating rights

Hyderabad: MLA Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, the working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi, has written to speaker Gaddam Prasad of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, alleging violations of protocol towards BRS MLAs.

This comes after Maheshwaram MLA Sabita Indira Reddy was allegedly not welcomed in a district meeting.

‘Congress deliberately targeting BRS MLAs’

In his letter, KT Rama Rao expressed concern over what he described as a ‘troubling culture’ where the rights of opposition BRS MLAs are being ‘deliberately trampled’.

He stated that in instances where there are no ruling party MLAs, the Congress government is blatantly violating the rights of opposition members. He accused the Congress government of habitual protocol violations and unconstitutional behaviour, which he asserted is detrimental to democratic principles.

Rama Rao contrasted this with the almost decade-long tenure of the BRS party, during which he claimed such undemocratic practices were never engaged in, and the MLAs elected by the people were always respected.

He said that ever since the Congress party took office, BRS MLAs have been deliberately targeted, with repeated violations of protocol.

‘Several protocol violations’

He pointed out specific instances of protocol violations, including the distribution of welfare scheme checks, such as Kalyani Lakshmi, by Congress leaders instead of the local MLAs; and development works, including foundation laying and inauguration ceremonies, being conducted without the presence of elected MLAs.

He cited constituencies like Huzurabad, Maheshwaram and Asifabad as examples where local Congress leaders or defeated candidates are acting as if they are the elected representatives.

Furthermore, Rama Rao claimed that threats from government leaders have coerced officials into following these undemocratic directives.

He noted that over the past seven months, there have been continuous instances of protocol violations. Despite efforts by BRS MLAs to bring these issues to the speaker’s attention, access has been limited, he said.

Rama Rao urged the speaker to use his authority to protect the rights and protocol of Legislative members, regardless of party affiliations. He called for immediate orders to be issued to the chief secretary and all district collectors to ensure that the protocol for BRS MLAs is respected and maintained. He warned that if these issues are not addressed promptly, they will be raised during the upcoming Assembly meetings.