Turncoat MLAs in Telangana meet to devise legal strategy after disqualification notices

The meeting, held at Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender's residence, focused on legal strategies and the response to the Apex Court and Assembly authorities

Hyderabad: The 10 MLAs who defected from the BRS to the Congress convened a crucial meeting on Wednesday after the Telangana Assembly Secretary served them notices on disqualification petition against them following the Supreme Court’s directive. The meeting, held at Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender’s residence, focused on legal strategies and the response to the Apex Court and Assembly authorities.

The defected MLAs – Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, Tellam Venkat Rao, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Kale Yadaiah, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, Prakash Goud, M Sanjay Kumar, Arekapudi Gandhi, and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy – received the notices on February 4. Government Advisor Vem Narender Reddy was also present at the meeting.

---

Sources indicate that the MLAs are considering seeking legal counsel in Delhi before responding. They reportedly discussed whether to request additional time from the Assembly Secretary for their response.

The BRS had approached the Telangana High Court, demanding action against the defected legislators, after the Speaker did not act on its disqualification petition. However, the court ruled against the BRS, prompting the party to move the Supreme Court. The apex court directed the Assembly Speaker’s Office to issue notices, leading to the MLAs now scrambling to formulate their defence.