YCP MP Vijayasai Reddy faced the threat of his Rajya Sabha membership cancellation when he was made AP Government Special Representative with Cabinet rank in Delhi. Subsequently, the Jagan Reddy government rephrased its order saying that Vijayasai would draw no financial benefits because his appointment as AP Special Representative would not be an office of profit. Now, the same is applicable to the YCP MLAs getting nominated posts.
MLA RK Roja has taken charge as the Chairman of the AP Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC). Similarly, MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy is named Chairman of the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA). Such MLAs getting nominated posts will also attract the disqualification rules under office of profit.
As per Article 102 (1) and 191 (1) of Constitution, an MLA cannot hold an office of profit. This applies to whatever appointments behind which there would be clear involvement of the government concerned. In the YCP MLAs issue also, the AP government nominates these positions. The fact that APIIC Chairman and CRDA Chairman posts wield lot of influence attracts the disqualification rules under office of profit clause. Doubts are rising now whether Vijayasai’s appointment is defendable in view of the fact that he gets lot of influence associated with Special Representative post. Moreover, this is an AP government appointment which means there would be some benefit.