Secunderabad: Will Congress’ proposed anti-defection law explode on its face over BRS turncoat Danam Nagender’s ticket?

Hyderabad: Why is Secunderabad Congress candidate for Lok Sabha become a bone of contention for the party?

Congress Lok Sabha candidate for Secunderabad Danam Nagender is being seen as a ‘potential live example’ for the anti-defection law.

Congress in its manifesto released on Friday has clearly stated that the anti-defection law will be amended.

Under the proposed amendment, any party MLAs or MPs who would defect will automatically get disqualified.

Congressmen in Telangana and New Delhi fear that it may be exploited by the Bharatiya Janata Party and Bharat Rashtra Samithi since a sitting MLA from BRS is contesting on Congress ticket from Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat.

A senior Congressman on condition of anonymity says, “This point is going to be exploited in the days to come. Opposition is going to use it to the maximum in Secunderabad.”

Why Nagender for Secunderabad?

Danam Nagender was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Bharat Rashtra Samithi.

He defected from BRS and joined the Congress party on March 17. On March 21, his name was on the list of Congress’ Lok Sabha candidates. He was fielded from the Secunderabad seat.

According to the norms, Nagender has to resign as MLA, and then only the B form for MP will be issued.

But so far, he has not resigned as Khairtabad MLA.

What is the reason for not resigning?

Various surveys carried out by him show he will not win the seat and in fact will come third in the race, according to sources.

This has prompted him to stay put and not resign as MLA.

According to sources, All India Congress Committee members have asked the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee to look into his insistence not to resign. “They are not happy with the stand taken by the candidate. They want the state unit to intervene and sort it out,” said the sources

Will there be a change in the candidate?

No, said sources. “We do not have the right mix of candidates to take on the Opposition. And that is why parachute candidates from BRS are being preferred,” explained a source.

KTR on anti-defection

Highlighting the discrepancy, BRS working president KTR questioned whether the Congress party's anti-defection assurance, as stated in their manifesto, applies in the state of Telangana. He accused the Congress of preaching one thing while doing the exact opposite by welcoming BRS MLA's into their party while allowing them to retain their posts. He reminded Rahul Gandhi that the AICC has announced Secunderabad MP seat for Danam Nagender, an elected BRS MLA in Telangana.

In his statement, KTR emphasized the irony of the Congress party's stance, noting their historical association with the "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" culture of political defections in India. Despite this, he welcomed the Congress party's proposal to amend the 10th schedule to ensure automatic disqualification of MLAs/MPs if they defect parties.