In a big relief to YSR Congress party general secretary and Rajya Sabha member V Vijay Sai Reddy, President of India Ramnath Kovind has turned down a petition seeking his disqualification as an MP.
The petition was filed by the Telugu Desam Party leaders who alleged that Sai Reddy should be disqualified for being appointed as Special Representative of Andhra Pradesh government in Delhi, which comes under office of profit category.
However, a communique from President’s Office said the TDP’s complaint has been dismissed as the state government had already issued a notification taking the office of the special representative out of the office-of-profit bracket. Hence, Sai Reddy cannot be disqualified as an MP.
In fact, there was a controversy originally when Sai Reddy was appointed as the Special Representative of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in New Delhi.
He was first appointed on June 22 as the special representative with cabinet rank and all the other facilities.
The TDP leaders raised a hue and cry over the appointment since an MP cannot hold an office of profit. Subsequently, the GO was withdrawn on July 4, stating that Sai Reddy’s appointment was cancelled.
But a few days later, another order was issued reappointing Sai Reddy as special representative of the AP government with a status of 'State guest' without any Cabinet rank and other perks, thereby indicating that the post cannot be considered as office of profit.