BRS Expresses Concern Over Continuation Of Legislative Council

Former MP Boinpally Vinod Kumar today expressed concern over the continued existence of the Telangana State Legislative Council, saying that there was a danger that it might be dissolved completely.

Speaking to the media at Telangana Bhavan in the city, Kumar said that as per Article 171 of the Indian Constitution, there needed to be at least 40 seats in the Legislative Council for it to exist.

"The Council seats also need to be one-third of the Assembly seats. With the Constitutional amendment brought in by the Central government in the last term, the existence of the Legislative Council is now at stake. The Anglo-Indian MLA has been removed, which has reduced the number of the MLAs in the Telangana Assembly to 119," he said.

"The Constitutional amendment made by the Centre came into effect from the new Assembly, eliminating the Anglo-Indian member in the Assembly, and so the total number of MLAs is only 119, due to which 1/3 of the number of members of the Council has come down to 39. As per the Constitution, there should be at least 40 members, and so if anyone goes to court, there is a possibility that the Council will be dissolved immediately," he said.

He suggested that the total number of Assembly seats should increase for the Telangana Legislative Council to continue.

"Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is now a key player at the Centre, and the CMs of AP and Telangana should work together to increase the number of Assembly seats. As per Section 26 of the AP Reorganisation Act, the number of Assembly seats in Telangana should be increased to 153 and in AP to 225. The Centre had not responded earlier to the request to enhance the Assembly seats, and kep making lame excuses. But it has increased the total number of Assembly seats Jammu and Kashmir. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy should speak to Chandrababu Naidu and work with him to enhance the number of Assembly seats to the number mentioned in the bifurcation act, and ensure that the Telangana Council continues," Kumar said.