The Congress and Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) on Monday demanded action against BJP legislator Raja Singh for refusing to take oath as an MLA from Protem Speaker Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, who is from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) party.

Abid Rasool Khan, a TRS leader, said the comments made by the BJP MLA are against the laid down principles of democracy and the rules and regulations that govern the Assembly and the office of the Protem Speaker. "People should condemn such remarks and his party should take action against him making such statements," he said.

Congress spokesperson Dr Sravan Dasoju said his party strongly condemns Singh's statement. He also said BJP president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi should expel Singh from the BJP if his statement goes against their party's basic principles.

"People like Raja Singh do not deserve to be MLA and must be expelled not only from the Assembly but also from the party and from the country. There should be no place in the country for people who want to survive by speaking ill against other communities," added Dasoju.

Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has announced that the new Legislative Assembly will commence its proceeding on 17 January and will continue till 20 January. However, a day prior to the commencement of the session, Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, an MLA of the AIMIM, will take oath as the Protem Speaker at the Raj Bhavan. The Protem Speaker administers the oath to MLAs.

BJP spokesperson Krishna Sagar Rao said it was Singh's decision in his individual capacity not to participate in the oath-taking ceremony administered by the Protem Speaker if from the AIMIM party. "As an MLA, Raja Singh has the right to choose the season when he wants to take the oath," he said.