Date:26/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042616980100.htm

Front Page

KCR suspends Narendra from TRS

N. Rahul

Action fallout of emigration racket; division in party

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) plunged into a political crisis with the party suspending its number two leader, A. Narendra, late on Wednesday in the wake of the emigration racket that has divided the party.

Mr. Narendra's suspension was announced by TRS official spokesman, S. Madhusudhana Chary, after two days of hectic consultations by party chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao with his MLAs.

A press note issued by Mr. Chary claimed that police investigation confirmed that the embossing of visas for the visit of some persons to foreign countries on the diplomatic passports of TRS MPs, D. Ravindra Naik and T. Madhusudhana Reddy, took place when they were in Mr. Narendra's possession.

A notice was being issued to Mr. Narendra to show cause why he should not be expelled from the party. The TRS president earlier told The Hindu that he was under "tremendous pressure" to expel Mr. Narendra from the party ahead of the party's high-profile rally to celebrate its sixth anniversary at Warangal on April 27.

Terming his suspension as an act of injustice, Mr. Narendra said he would respond to it on Thursday.

He said he had indeed collected the passports to facilitate the MPs' visit to Pakistan as part of a Parliamentary delegation. The visit was subsequently called off and he returned the passports.