As many as 10 MLCs, including the Leader of the Opposition D Srinivas, retired on Sunday following the end of their six-year terms.
Among them were seven MLCs who were elected under the MLAs' quota. They included D Srinivas, Hafiz Peer Shabbir Ahmed, K R Amos, K Yadav Reddy and S Rajalingam of the Congress, and B Laxminarayana and B Venkateshwarulu of the TDP.
However, except for Srinivas and Shabbir Ahmed, the MLCs had joined the TRS a few months ago.
The terms of Prof K Nageshwara and K Dilip Kumar also ended on Sunday. They represented the graduates constituencies of the Mahabubnagar - Ranga Reddy - Hyderabad and Warangal - Khammam - Nalgonda districts. They will be replaced by the new members - N Ramchander Rao of the BJP and Palle Rajeshwar Reddy of the TRS.
The term of B Venkat Rao, who was nominated by the Governor, also came to end. Although he belonged to the Congress party, he had joined the TRS a few months ago.
Thus, of the 10 vacancies, eight will remain unfilled from Monday until fresh elections are held for the same. (INN)