For the second time in quick succession the Speaker is facing a situation where his decision will be crucial for the state’s future. The first was the resignation of the Telangana MLAs, who, cutting across party lines, had put in their papers trying to force the Centre’s hand for a separate state.Sources said Mr Manohar, who is in his native Tenali constituency, said he will have to see the resignations first and then take a decision. The Speaker is expected to return to Hyderabad on August 25. By then the Congress think tank is expected to do some damage control with the intervention of the party’s central leadership. As he had done with the T-legislators, the Speaker might reject all the current resignations stating that they were emotionally motivated but as far as Mr Jagan’s group is concerned, Mr Manohar might have no other option but to accept their resignations as they will simultaneously resign from the Congress and the Assembly. As per the Anti-Defection Act, members are liable for disqualification if they resign from their party but not from the House.

In this case all the 29 legislators have announced that they will resign from both. “Accepting the resignations would trigger the T-crisis and turning them down will expose the Congress’ weakness,” a senior minister said. The TRS, meanwhile, has made use of the situation and has asked T-legislators of other parties to resubmit their resignations. “It is a shame on the part of the Telangana legislators of Congress and TD. They should submit their resignations afresh after seeing about 30 MLAs sacrifice their posts for an individual for a noble cause,” said TRS MLA Mr K.T. Rama Rao.
On the other hand, Mr Jagan’s MLAs would gain moral strength if their resignations are rejected. They will be relieved of the stigma of supporting another party while continuing as Congress MLAs. This will put Congress leaders in a fix as they often dare the Jagan group to relinquish their posts and seek fresh polls with YSR Congress tickets.

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