Even as the congress has reportedly decided to axe the 16 party MLAs who defied the whip and voted in favour of the TDP’s no-confidence motion last night in the assembly, the congress MLAs, who obeyed the orders of the YSR Congress party chief Mr YS Jaganmohan reddy, threw another challenge to the chief minister Kirankumar reddy today.

The MLAs said they are ready to face the by elections in the event of their sacking from the assembly for defying the whip and challenged the chief minister Kirankumar reddy to defeat them in the by polls.

The MLAs, who attended a meeting today at the residence of Jagan along with the TDP rebel MLA Mr Balanagireddy and PRP MLA Ms. Shobha Nagi reddy, discussed the prospects of their being disqualified from the assembly and facing the by elections. The 18 of them voted in favour of the TDP’s no confidence motion.

Speaking to newspersons after the meeting, Jagan loyalist Gurnatha reddy said that they are ready to face the disqualification and the ensuing by elections. “You are talking about the congress win in 2014 elections but why wait till 2014? If you have that much confidence, face us in the by elections and show your mettle,” he challenged Chief Minister Kirankumar.

If the Speaker disqualifies the 16 congress MLAs and the lone PRP MLA who defied the whip, by polls will have to be held in their constituencies with in six months. Already, by elections are due in seven assembly constituencies in Telangana region. This means by elections will be held for 24 assembly seats in the near future.

TDP rebel MLA Mr Balanagireddy will not be disqualified as he voted in favour of the no-confidence motion.  (JUBS)