Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Thursday defended merger of 12 out of 18 Congress MLAs with the Telangana Rashtra Samithi, saying it had happened as per the Constitutional provisions.
Reacting to the criticism of the Congress party in the assembly, KCR said it was the Congress party’s own making.
“The party is losing its credibility across the country and hence, its MLAs are defecting to the ruling parties,” he said.
KCR pointed out that four Rajya Sabha members of the Telugu Desam Party had merged themselves with the BJP.
“Similarly in Goa, 10 out of 15 Congress MLAs merged themselves with the BJP. So, when the BJP can do it in Goa, what was wrong on the part of the TRS to admit 12 Congress MLAs?” he asked, while countering Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader M Bhatti Vikramarka on the issue of merger.
"They came as per 10th Schedule of the Constitution," he said.
"Why do you blame us? Why do they leave if you have leadership ability?" he said. He also said the matter was sub-judice.
Vikramarka alleged that leaders were being merged with the ruling party regardless of the party they were elected.
The Congress members held placards with 'Save Democracy' written on them. Vikramarka also announced a walkout by his party, alleging he was not being allowed to speak.