The Aryavarth Expresss Hyderabad (Telangana), March 13: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader T. Harish Rao has written to the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, raising concerns over former BRS MLA Danam Nagender contesting the Lok Sabha elections using a B-Form issued by the Indian National Congress.
In the letter, Rao questioned Nagender’s move and accused the Congress party of following “double standards” on democratic values. He said that while Rahul Gandhi often speaks about protecting the Constitution and democratic institutions at the national level, the actions of the Congress government in Telangana contradict those principles.
Rao pointed out that Nagender, who was elected as an MLA on a BRS ticket, openly contested the Lok Sabha elections using an official Congress B-Form. He said the matter is part of the public record and not speculation.
The BRS leader also stated that he has sought action against Nagender under the anti-defection provisions. According to him, the anti-defection law exists to protect the mandate given by voters and prevent political opportunism.
Rao further criticised the response of the Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker, who he said claimed there was “no evidence of defection.” He questioned how contesting an election on a Congress ticket while being an MLA of another party does not qualify as defection under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
He added that he has already written to the Speaker as the Deputy Floor Leader of the BRS Legislature Party in the Telangana Assembly, requesting immediate action under the anti-defection law. However, Rao alleged that the Congress government in the state is trying to protect political defections instead of defending constitutional values.
Rao also urged Rahul Gandhi to advise the Telangana Chief Minister and the Assembly Speaker to act against Danam Nagender under the anti-defection law. He emphasised that the Constitution should be upheld through concrete actions rather than speeches.
“The people of Telangana and the country deserve a clear answer. The Constitution cannot be defended through speeches alone; it must be upheld through actions, even when it is politically inconvenient,” Rao said.
