A big blow to T-TDP is being seen in Telangana from its own people who have left now for greener pastures. The MLAs of Telangana TDP who have defected to the TRS are now claiming that since two-thirds of them have come out, they are merging the TDP Legislative Party into TRS Legislative Party.
This would in a way ensure that these defected MLAs are treated officially as TRS members officially and there is no such need to be facing by-elections, which is reference to the Tenth Schedule of Indian Constitution.
However constitution experts are differing in this regard. They say that this provision was omitted with effect from January 1st, 2004 with the 91st amendment. With this omission, the provision of claiming any split in the legislature party wouldn’t be permitted. Even if the Speaker approves split, this cannot stand in courts.
At the same time there are many misconceptions whether TDP will be really merged into TRS. At best TDLP could get merged in to TRSLP and yes, by-elections can be avoided. However, the TDP will continue to exist as a regional party even without a single MLA.
