BRS to move High Court against Speaker verdict in MLA defection case

BRS leader B Vinod Kumar said the party will challenge the Assembly Speaker’s ruling on disqualification petitions against 10 defected MLAs in the High Court and approach the Election Commission over Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender contesting as a Congress candidate.

Hyderabad: The BRS is all set to challenge the Assembly Speaker’s verdict on disqualification petitions against 10 defected MLAs in the High Court. Former MP B Vinod Kumar made this announcement and revealed plans to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) over Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender who won as MLA on BRS ticket, but contested as Congress candidate in Secunderabad Lok Sabha polls while continuing as MLA.

Speaking at a press meet at Telangana Bhavan on Friday, Vinod Kumar said the party was still awaiting certified copies of the Speaker’s order. The Supreme Court on Thursday directed that the copies be issued within 48 hours after BRS counsel informed the court that the verdict copies were shared with the petitioners.

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Pointing out that the petitions were filed nearly two years ago, the BRS leader accused the Speaker of delaying the decision until compelled by the courts. He argued that the ruling weakened the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution and reminded that only merger of two-third of a legislative party was allowed, failing which defections must be dealt strictly. He said the Speaker neglected constitutional provisions.

Vinod Kumar ridiculed the Speaker’s claim that there was no evidence of defection in the case of MLA Danam Nagender. He wanted the ECI to clarify whether a sitting MLA can contest on behalf of a different party without attracting disqualification. BRS general secretary Soma Bharath Kumar and BRS legal cell member Lalitha Reddy were present.