Is Telangana getting ready for another high-profile byelections? If sources are to be believed, there could be another bypoll soon after the high voltage Huzurabad bypolls. They claim that Vemulawada MLA Chennamaneni Ramesh's election could be cancelled in view of the controversy over his citizenship.
Ramesh's citizenship has always been quite controversial. He is said to be a German citizen and has relinquished Indian citizenship. Hence under the citizenship laws, he cannot be a law-maker in the country. The Union Home Ministry has categorically told the court that Ramesh had traveled to Germany on a German passport and used a person-of-Indian-origin document to enter India, in which he claimed that he was a German citizen. Petitioner Adi Srinivas too has furnished evidence to claim that Ramesh was not an Indian citizen.
The High Court, which is hearing the petition too, asked Ramesh's counsel as to why Ramesh had mentioned himself as a German citizen when he came to India on a PIO document. Ramesh's counsel argued that there was nothing in the citizenship act that could prevent Ramesh from becoming an Indian citizen as he has no criminal case pending against him at any stage.
If the court rules against Ramesh, then he could be disqualified from being an MLA. In that event, there could be another bypoll round the corner. If there is going to be a bypoll, then there could also be a bonanza of sops, schemes and benefits for Vemulawada constituency.
Ramesh's citizenship has always been quite controversial. He is said to be a German citizen and has relinquished Indian citizenship. Hence under the citizenship laws, he cannot be a law-maker in the country. The Union Home Ministry has categorically told the court that Ramesh had traveled to Germany on a German passport and used a person-of-Indian-origin document to enter India, in which he claimed that he was a German citizen. Petitioner Adi Srinivas too has furnished evidence to claim that Ramesh was not an Indian citizen.
The High Court, which is hearing the petition too, asked Ramesh's counsel as to why Ramesh had mentioned himself as a German citizen when he came to India on a PIO document. Ramesh's counsel argued that there was nothing in the citizenship act that could prevent Ramesh from becoming an Indian citizen as he has no criminal case pending against him at any stage.
If the court rules against Ramesh, then he could be disqualified from being an MLA. In that event, there could be another bypoll round the corner. If there is going to be a bypoll, then there could also be a bonanza of sops, schemes and benefits for Vemulawada constituency.