Telangana Assembly Speaker concludes cross-examination of turncoat MLAs

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.

Hyderabad: Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Saturday concluded the cross-examinations of two key MLAs who defected from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the ruling Congress as part of the ongoing anti-defection probe.

The scrutiny focused on Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy and Jogulamba Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy.

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The duo faced intense questioning from advocates representing the petitioners inside the Speaker’s chambers. The in-camera hearings proceeded under strict confidentiality, as mandated by the Supreme Court, which treats the Speaker as a quasi-judicial authority with a three-month deadline for a verdict by October 30.

During the hearings, the two MLAs denied any defection, insisting that their meetings with Congress leaders were solely for constituency development purposes.

However, BRS advocates, including those representing petitioner MLA Chinta Prabhakar, presented counter-evidence such as videos of the joining ceremony and statements from party leaders.

“They voluntarily gave up BRS membership,” a senior BRS leader asserted after the session.

Eight of the accused MLAs have submitted affidavits affirming their continued loyalty to the BRS, distancing themselves from the controversy.

Mahipal Reddy had publicly joined the Congress on July 15, 2024, in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and several cabinet ministers.

The BRS, which secured 39 seats in the November 2023 Assembly elections compared to the Congress’s 64, filed disqualification petitions against all 10 MLAs, claiming they voluntarily abandoned party membership.

The cross-examinations could shed light on key aspects, according to Soma Bharat Kumar, a key petitioner in the case.

Speaking to reporters outside the Speaker’s chambers, Bharat Kumar highlighted the breakthroughs during the session.

He revealed that the defecting MLAs had recently met with Revanth Reddy to discuss strategies to face the cross-examination.

Footage sought

“We have requested the tribunal for footage related to that meeting,” he added, noting that a formal petition to secure the recordings would be filed on Sunday.

“All proceedings today revolved around evidence and cross-examination,” Bharat stressed. He also pointed to the need for additional witness testimonies, stating that there was still a necessity to summon several more witnesses for examination.

The tribunal adjourned the next hearing to October 24, owing to the Speaker’s international commitments.

“The Speaker is traveling to Barbados for a conference of Speakers, which is why the proceedings have been postponed,” Bharat explained.
“Despite the mounting evidence, the MLAs maintain their innocence. They are still insisting that they did not defect,” he said.