It is quite common in politics these days for leaders to jump from one party into another party of their convenience.
The tradition is that such defecting leaders are admitted into the new party by offering scarfs (khanduwas).
Offering a scarf is nothing but a sort of giving a new appointment letter in the party. It is an indication that the defection is formalised. Depending on the stature of the defector, it will be decided as to who should offer the scarf.
If a big leader or an MLA or an MP defects to the ruling party, he is welcomed into the party by party president or chief minister himself. If it is a lower-run leader, then the local MLA or any other senior politician will offer him the khanduwa.
However, YSR Congress party president and chief minister of Andhra Pradesh has framed a rule for encouraging defection of rival party leaders into YSRC.
If is an MLA or an MP, he should first resign from their assembly or parliament membership. Only then will the defecting leader be offered scarf, formalising his entry into the party.
There is a reason for his decision: during the Chandrababu Naidu regime, many MLAs and a couple of MPs from YSRC defected to the TDP without bothering to resign from their posts. Then Speaker had not taken any action against these defectors despite the YSRC raising a hue and cry.
So, soon after coming to power, Jagan had declared on the floor of the House that he would not allow any MLA or MP of the rival party into the YSRC unless they quit their posts. Such leaders won’t be offered YSRC scarfs.
If it is any other leader – be it a former MLA or former minister or a former MP, they can straightaway join the party and will be offered the party scarfs.
Yet, four of the TDP MLAs shifted their loyalties to the YSRC in the last few months. But none of them was offered the YSRC scarfs, which means they have not got their official entry into the YSRC but would technically remain in the TDP.
But Jagan has suggested them a way out. While these defecting TDP MLAs cannot officially join the YSRC, they can get their kin – wife or sons or daughters admitted into the YSRC and meet Jagan along with them. The YSRC chief is offering them party scarfs, but not to the MLAs or MPs.
Recently, a TDP legislator from Rayalaseema also wanted to join the party and he insisted that he be given official entry by offering scarf. But Jagan reportedly said no to him.
“If you want to join officially, you resign from your assembly membership. Otherwise, get your children admitted into the YSRC,” the chief minister reportedly told him.
What an idea!
