Controversy Surrounding Appointments in Telangana Legislature Committees Sparks Outcry

The Telangana Legislature recently made headlines as it issued orders establishing key committees within its structure. The Public Accounts, Estimation, and Public Undertaking Committees were set up with a specific mandate. Arikapudi Gandhi was named as the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, N. Padmavathi Reddy as the Chairperson of the Estimation Committee, and K. Shankaraiah as the Chairman of the Public Undertaking Committee. Each committee was allocated 12 members to carry out its functions effectively.

However, the appointment of Arikapudi Gandhi as the PAC chairman stirred controversy among members of the opposition, particularly the BRS. This move was met with criticism, with accusations of deviating from established norms and traditions. Harish Rao, a prominent figure, voiced concerns over the appointment, emphasizing the customary practice of assigning the PAC chairman role to the opposition party. He criticized the decision to appoint Gandhi, who had recently joined the Congress party, raising questions about the integrity of the selection process.

The situation escalated as Rahul Gandhi condemned what he perceived as a breach of democratic principles, denouncing the actions taken by the state government. Comparisons were drawn to the appointment of KC Venugopal as the PAC chairman at the national level, highlighting discrepancies in the decision-making process.

Amidst the turmoil, three MLAs from the BRS put forward nominations for the PAC chairman position, including former ministers Harish Rao, Gangula Kamalakar, and Prashanth Reddy. The nomination of Arikapudi Gandhi by the Congress party following his party switch further fueled the controversy. Ultimately, despite the uproar, Gandhi secured the role of PAC chairman.

The situation took a dramatic turn when the High Court intervened, issuing orders to address the issue of party-switching by MLAs. This development added another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions within the Legislative Assembly Office, sparking debates and raising questions about political ethics and governance.