MLAs defection: Cong leader on indefinite fast shifted to hospital

Senior Congress leader M Bhatti Vikramarka, on an indefinite fast in protest against the "illegal" merger of 12 party MLAs with the ruling TRS in Telangana, was Monday shifted to a hospital here by the police, in view of his "failing health". Congress Legislature Party leader Vikramarka had Saturday launched his 36-hour fast, which was subsequently changed to 'fast-unto-death' at the Dharna Chowk here.

He has been shifted to the state-run NIMS hospital "in view of his failing health" and also for holding protest beyond the permitted time, police said. "He had obtained permission for holding a 36-hour dharna and it was granted. But, he continued to hold the protest even after the permitted time.

After getting him checked by a medical team, he has been shifted", DCP (Central Zone) P Viswa Prasad told PTI. In a dramatic turn of events, Telangana Assembly Speaker P Srinivas Reddy Thursday last recognised 12 MLAs of Congress as members of TRS, hours after they moved him seeking a merger of their group with the ruling party.

The Speaker acceded to the request of the MLAs considering the fact that they constituted two-thirds of the Congress Legislature Party, a requirement for the merger under the anti-defection law. The Congress had won 19 seats in the assembly polls in December last year, but in the past few months, 11 of the MLAs had switched loyalties to the TRS though officially they did not resign. As the Congress strength has come down to six, one less than that of AIMIM, it may lose the status of the main opposition party in the 119-member House.

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