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Telangana Speaker Clears BRS MLAs, Congress Spokesperson Reacts

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has cleared several BRS MLAs of defection charges, citing a lack of concrete evidence that they switched to the Congress party. Congress spokesperson Sama Ram Mohan Reddy welcomed the decision, noting the MLAs would technically remain with the BRS. The Supreme Court has acknowledged the rulings on seven cases and given the Speaker a final two-week deadline to decide the three remaining petitions. The BRS has questioned the Speaker's decisions and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Key Points: Telangana Speaker Clears BRS MLAs in Defection Cases

  • Speaker cites no proof of defection
  • 7 BRS MLAs cleared so far
  • 3 disqualification petitions still pending
  • Supreme Court sets 2-week final deadline
  • BRS plans to appeal decision
2 min read

"Both MLAs will technically continue as members of BRS": Telangana Congress spokesperson

Telangana Assembly Speaker clears BRS MLAs of defection charges. Congress spokesperson comments as Supreme Court sets final deadline for pending cases.

"Both MLAs will technically continue as members of the BRS - Sama Ram Mohan Reddy"

Hyderabad, January 16

Congress spokesperson Sama Ram Mohan Reddy on Friday welcomed Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar's decision not to disqualify two BRS MLAs under the Anti-Defection law.

"The Speaker ruled that there was no evidence to prove that the two legislators had defected to the ruling Congress party, holding that the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was not applicable. With this decision, both MLAs will technically continue as members of the BRS," said Reddy.

This comes after Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Thursday cleared two Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislators in a disqualification case, stating that no concrete proof was found to suggest they had switched over to the Congress party.

Notably, Banswada MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Chevella MLA Kale Yadaiah were not disqualified by the Speaker, citing a lack of evidence of defection to Congress.

The Congress spokesperson further added, "Telangana assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad has dismissed 2 more disqualification petitions against BRS MLAs because the BRS party is collecting maintenance fees from thier parties, which shows how they are affiliated."

This follows earlier decisions clearing five other BRS MLAs, with only three cases (Danam Nagender, Kadiam Srihari, M Sanjay Kumar) pending against BRS MLAs accused of switching to Congress after the 2023 elections.

Telangana Assembly Speaker cleared 6 BRS MLAs: Arekapudi Gandhi, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Kale Yadaiah, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and T Prakash Goud. They'll remain BRS members.

Three cases pending are of Danam Nagender, Kadiam Srihari and M Sanjay Kumar.

The Speaker's decision has cleared 7 BRS MLAs so far, with 3 cases pending against Danam Nagender, Kadiam Srihari, and M Sanjay Kumar. BRS has questioned the decision and plans to appeal to the Supreme Court.

The BRS had previously approached the Supreme Court, alleging delays by the Speaker in acting on the disqualification petitions. The Supreme Court had set a series of deadlines for the Speaker to decide the cases.

On Friday, the Supreme Court, acknowledging that decisions had been rendered in 7 cases, gave the Speaker a final 2-week deadline to decide the remaining 3 petitions. The Court warned that failure to comply could result in further contempt proceedings.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
Typical political drama in Telangana! 🤦‍♀️ Everyone knows what's happening, but without "proof" nothing can be done. The anti-defection law needs more teeth to prevent this horse-trading. Hope the pending cases get a fair hearing.
R
Rahul R
As a voter from Telangana, this is frustrating. MLAs change parties after elections, but the law can't touch them. What about the people who voted for them under a party symbol? Our mandate is being disrespected.
P
Priyanka N
The Speaker's comment about "maintenance fees" is very telling. It suggests a financial link. If BRS is still paying them, they are technically still members. The law is about technicalities, not public perception. The SC deadline should resolve the rest.
D
David E
Interesting to see the judicial process at work here. The Supreme Court's active role in setting deadlines is crucial to prevent indefinite delays. This is a good case study for political science students in India.
A
Aman W
Respectfully, I think the Congress spokesperson is trying to put a positive spin on this. Their own MLAs are in question. The real issue is the weakening of party ideology. MLAs should resign and seek a fresh mandate if they wish to switch.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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