The Telangana High Court has directed several MLAs accused of defecting from the BRS to the Congress to file their counters by May 6. The order came during hearings on petitions filed by BRS legislators seeking disqualification of defectors.
The Telangana Assembly is witnessing the final stage of hearings on disqualification petitions against BRS MLAs Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari, who defected to the Congress under ‘Operation Akarsh’.
The disqualification case against Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender has entered a decisive phase, with Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar scheduling a hearing on January 30. Notices have been issued to Nagender, petitioner Padi Kaushik Reddy, BJP leader Maheshwar Reddy, and their counsel.
A flex banner protest staged by BRS cadre in Jangaon against defected MLA Kadiyam Srihari stirred political tension during a temple committee event. The banner, featuring Srihari and former MLA Rajaiah, went viral on social media. Police intervention led to detentions, intensifying the political atmosphere.
Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari has denied allegations of defecting from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi to the Congress, submitting a counter affidavit to Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. His response comes amid disqualification petitions against several BRS MLAs accused of switching loyalties after the 2023 elections.
Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy has welcomed the Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad’s decision to dismiss the disqualification petition filed against him by the BRS. He asserted that he remains a member of the BRS and clarified that his act of welcoming the Chief Minister with a tricolour scarf was a traditional practice, not a political statement.
Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari has sought more time to respond to the Speaker’s disqualification notice, while attention now turns to Khairthabad MLA Danam Nagender. The Congress leader, formerly elected on a BRS ticket, is under scrutiny for violating the anti-defection law after contesting from Secunderabad in the Parliament elections.
The Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar conducted extended hearings on disqualification petitions filed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) against several defected MLAs. Over three hours of cross-examination took place, with most legislators already questioned.
With the Supreme Court’s deadline looming, disqualification proceedings against 10 BRS MLAs who joined the Congress remain incomplete. Only four hearings have concluded, while others are pending or delayed due to requests for more time.
The MLA defection case involving 10 BRS legislators who joined the ruling Congress has entered its final phase, with Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar resuming hearings under the Anti-Defection Act. While eight MLAs have filed replies, Danam Nagender and Kadiam Srihari sought more time.
Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has completed cross-examinations of two MLAs accused of defecting from BRS to Congress. While the MLAs deny the charges, BRS advocates presented video evidence and affidavits.
