Hyderabad: TRS appears to have finally succeeded in ‘Operation Akarsh’ to poach few MLAs from Telugu Desam. Elaborate discussions are underway to ensure at least 3 to 4 legislators jump the fence before the budget session. The fresh strategy of the pink party is to deny the chance for the TDP-BJP combine to secure one MLC seat under MLA quota, elections for which will be held shortly.

TRS is assured of four MLC seats and Congress one MLC seat out of the six that go to elections. If the poaching of MLAs happens, TRS would get an additional fifth seat in the Council. To elect a candidate, party requires votes of 18.3 members and if TRS succeeds in poaching at least three TDP MLAs, the TDP-BJP combine will not have any chance to put up a candidate.

It is learnt that senior TRS leaders are making all-out efforts to win over TDP MLAs from Kukatpally and Rajendranagar. These two legislators are said to got the assurance from the government to accord top priority in release of funds for constituency development.

So these legislators switching loyalties is a mere formality. TRS leadership is reportedly trying to poach Cantonment, Ibrahimpatnam, Sattupally and even LB Nagar legislators. Even legislator from Serilingampally is on the radar. Buzz in political circles is that TRS supremo himself spoke with a few MLAs from Greater Hyderabad recently

Source: THI