BRS Boycotts PAC Meeting Over Arekapudi Gandhi

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) today boycotted the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) meeting.

BRS members Vemula Prashanth Reddy, Satyavathi Rathod and L Ramana protested during the meeting, alleging that the PAC Chairman was appointed in violation of Assembly conventions.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan later, former minister Prashanth Reddy said that KCR as CM had appointed individuals such as Krishna Reddy and Geetha Reddy as suggested by the Congress as PAC chairpersons during the BRS regime. He asked why BRS leader Harish Rao's nomination as PAC Chairman by KCR, the leader of the Opposition, was now rejected by the Assembly Speaker.

"Minister Sridhar Babu claims that Arekapudi Gandhi is a BRS MLA. Congress MLC Jeevan Reddy has written to the high command requesting action against MLAs who have switched sides. Revanth Reddy held a meeting with 10 MLAs who changed parties at Pocharam Srinivas Reddy's house. Mahesh Kumar Goud stated that the AICC indicated BRS MLAs should be inducted into Congress. PCC campaign committee chairman Madhu Yashki Goud mentioned that these MLAs switched sides to protect their assets. All of these clearly show that Gandhi has switched to the Congress. The government should reconsider its stance on the PAC Chairman at this juncture," he said.

Former minister Satyavathi Rathod too said that Gandhi was illegally appointed as the PAC Chairman. "KCR has the authority to decide who will be the PAC Chairman. Although the High Court mandated action against MLAs who have switched parties, no such action has been taken so far. Rebel BRS MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy has been appointed as the Chief Whip of the Council. Revanth Reddy is politicizing the situation by leveraging Arekapudi Gandhi and Patnam Mahender Reddy. The government is violating the traditions of the Assembly," she said.

MLC L Ramana alleged that the government had betrayed democratic principles. He emphasized that the role of the PAC Chairman was crucial for the government, and that discussions regarding government expenditures took place within the PAC. He asked how Gandhi, who was seen wearing a Congress scarf, could be appointed as PAC Chairman.