Telangana: MLA defection hearings enter final phase, Speaker’s ruling expected soon

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.

Hyderabad: The high-profile MLA defection case has entered its final phase on Friday, with Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar resuming hearings under the Anti-Defection Act. Proceedings are expected to conclude next week after questioning six more BRS MLAs, following which the Speaker will deliver his ruling on the disqualification petitions.

A total of 10 BRS legislators including Danam Nagender, T Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Arekapudi Gandhi, Kale Yadaiah, K Sanjay Kumar, Kadiam Srihari, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Tellam Venkat Rao, and Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, defected to the ruling Congress over last year and half.

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Acting on disqualification petitions filed by BRS, the Supreme Court had directed the Speaker to complete the inquiry within three months, with the deadline expiring on October 31.

Notices were served to all 10 MLAs, of whom eight have submitted written replies and affidavits. Danam Nagender and Kadiam Srihari sought more time to respond. While the Speaker granted an extension, no deadline was specified.

The hearings began on September 29, where the defected MLAs denied formally joining the Congress and claiming that they merely met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to discuss constituency development. The BRS countered these claims, submitting video clips, newspaper clippings and social media posts by the turncoat MLAs as evidence of defection.

On Friday, the Speaker heard four cases pertaining to T Prakash Goud, Kale Yadaiah, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy. Unlike earlier hearings where the MLAs were questioned, only the advocates appeared before the Speaker and presented arguments.

Sources said the Speaker will take up the remaining defection petitions over next week, including those involving Kadiam Srihari and Danam Nagender, who have yet to respond to official notices, before delivering final decision. In view of the hearings, security restrictions have been imposed around the Assembly complex till October 31.