BRS reiterates demand for disqualification of 10 defected MLAs

BRS leader Jagadish Reddy renewed calls for the disqualification of 10 defected MLAs, accusing them of aligning with Congress. He urged the Speaker to act swiftly and declared by-elections unavoidable

Hyderabad: The BRS on Monday reiterated its demand for the disqualification of 10 MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress, with senior leader and former Minister G Jagadish Reddy declaring that by-elections were inevitable. The party had earlier submitted petitions to the Speaker seeking immediate disqualification of the defected MLAs for betraying the mandate given on a BRS ticket.

Along with MLAs KP Vivekanand and Chinta Prabhakar, Jagadish Reddy on Monday submitted rejoinders to the Assembly Joint Secretary on behalf of the BRS, in response to the explanations given by the 10 MLAs facing defection charges.

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Out of the 10 MLAs facing disqualification notices from Speaker Gaddam Prasad, eight have filed responses. These include Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella), Tellam Venkata Rao (Bhadrachalam), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Dr Sanjay (Jagtial). However, senior legislators Kadiyam Srihari and Danam Nagender have failed to submit their replies.

Speaking to reporters, Jagadish Reddy accused the defectors of openly aligning with the Congress despite claiming to be BRS MLAs to safeguard their posts. He said they betrayed people’s mandate and should be disqualified without further delay. He ridiculed their claims that they had only met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for development works in their constituencies.

The former Minister showcased photographs of the defected MLAs with Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders, highlighting that they campaigned for the Congress and participated in party meetings. “If they really believed in BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao’s leadership, why did they attend Congress meetings, share stages with Rahul Gandhi, and publish advertisements with Congress leaders’ photographs?” he asked.

Jagadish Reddy said the defected MLAs were caught red-handed aligning with the ruling Congress. He insisted that the Speaker act swiftly on the petitions and reiterated that by-elections in their constituencies are inevitable.