HYDERABAD: Cracking the whip, the Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee suspended three party legislators and withdrew the associate membership of an independent MLA after their role in the defeat of official nominees in the Legislative Council polls was proved by an inquiry.

Party MLAs Naresh Agarwal (Ichapuram), Mekapati Chandrasekhara Reddy (Udayagiri) and Adala Prabhakar Reddy (Sarvepalli) were suspended and the associate membership of Kommi Lakshmaiah Naidu (Atmakur) was withdrawn. Vice-chairman of Srikakulam Zilla Parishad D. Srinivas was also suspended.

Specific aim

In an action that was aimed at targeting the dissidents who raised their voice after the recent Cabinet expansion, the APCC also served a show cause notice on Shadnagar MLA P. Shanker Rao. He was asked to reply to the notice within a fortnight.

Addressing a press conference, APCC president K. Keshava Rao said the suspended MLAs were questioned as to why they should not be expelled for their actions that was detrimental to the interests of the party.

The action was based on reports submitted by two separate committees formed by the party to inquire into the defeat of party candidates for the Local Authorities Areas constituencies in Council polls in Srikakulam, Nellore, Mahabubnagar and Karimnagar. The party had won 16 LAC seats and had majority in four districts but lost the seats due to alleged cross voting.

The inquiry reports were submitted to the APCC chief on May 3, which were reviewed by AICC general secretary, Digvijay Singh and Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who gave the go ahead for disciplinary action.

Dr. Rao said the high command had made it clear that it would not tolerate any indiscipline and anti-party activity.

"Leaders however big they may be will face the same action, if their conduct is objectionable," he pointed out.

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