CLP leader launches indefinite fast against merger of party

A Congress leader in Telangana Saturday began an indefinite fast in protest against the "illegal" merger of 12 party MLAs with the ruling TRS, even as AIMIM announced it would seek opposition status in Assembly as it now has more number of MLAs than Congress.

Congress Legislature Party leader M Bhatti Vikramarka launched his fast for 36 hours at the Dharna Chowk here, but state Congress president N Uttam Kumar Reddy said in the evening that it has been converted into an indefinite one.

"When a disqualification petition is pending, it means we have announced that the concerned person does not belong to Congress party. Then his Assembly membership should be cancelled," Uttam Kumar Reddy said at the protest venue.

"But, how did Speaker accept letter (seeking merger with TRS) on 6th (of June) by considering them as Congress MLAs. We seek an explanation to people of Telangana," he said.

The breakaway MLAs themselves have announced that they are leaving Congress, Reddy ...