Amaravati, Jul 3 (IANS): YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on Friday urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to disqualify Narsapuram MP Raghurama Krishna Raju for his anti-party activities.
A delegation of YSRCP MPs, led by party General Secretary and Rajya Sabha MP V. Vijaysai Reddy, met Birla in New Delhi, seeking the disqualification of Raju.
After submitting the disqualification petition, Vijaysai Reddy told reporters that the Lok Sabha Speaker responded positively and assured to take action after going through the case.
"Raghurama Krishna Raju created an awkward situation, by airing his views which were against the party line and his conduct was highly questionable and he lost the moral ground to be a member of the House representing the party," he said.
Vijaysai Reddy alleged that Raju was also hobnobbing with the leaders of the opposition party and many times, he used unparliamentary language against YSRCP President and Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and other party members. He has never discussed his inconvenience within the party forum anytime, but instead, took it up in the public, going against the party guidelines.
"The Narsapuram MP had colluded with opposition party leaders and went against the party guidelines and discipline. The anti-defection law applies to Raghurama Krishna Raju, who contradicted the party rules and he even misused the freedom of speech," the YSRCP leader said.
He argued that Raju's public defiance of the party line attract the anti-party provisions.
YSRCP Floor Leader in Lok Sabha, Mithun Reddy said that Raju was given due prominence in the party by nominating him to important committees. He has been critical about the party and the reply to the notice given to him was irresponsible which forced the party to give this notice.
Party Whip, M. Bharat said that Raju behaved like an opposition within the party and lacked the true spirit of the party which he represents. He was given many opportunities during the debates, but he has been talking contrary to the party decision on introduction of English medium from primary level and Tirupati lands.
MP Nandigama Suresh challenged Raghurama Krishna Raju to resign and contest without party support and win again.