Will BRS Challenge Telangana Speaker’s Disqualification Ruling?

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Will BRS Challenge Telangana Speaker’s Disqualification Ruling?

Synopsis

The BRS plans to legally contest the Telangana Speaker's decision dismissing disqualification petitions against five MLAs allegedly switching to Congress. This move highlights the political tensions in Telangana, with significant implications for upcoming elections and party affiliations.

Key Takeaways

  • BRS is contesting the Speaker's ruling in court.
  • Accusations of loyalty switching to Congress are central to the dispute.
  • Speaker's order deemed unconstitutional by BRS.
  • Political tensions rise ahead of potential by-elections.
  • Implications for governance and party affiliation transparency.

Hyderabad, Dec 17 (NationPress) The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) is set to contest in court the ruling by the Telangana Assembly Speaker regarding the dismissal of petitions aimed at disqualifying five BRS MLAs accused of shifting their allegiance to the Congress party.

Describing Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar's order as ‘unconstitutional’, BRS legislators K. Sanjay and K. P. Vivekanand asserted that the Speaker issued a decision without considering their defense.

As petitioners representing BRS, Sanjay and Vivekanand claimed that the Speaker did not maintain impartiality while fulfilling his responsibilities as a tribunal head.

During a media briefing, the BRS MLAs accused the Speaker of aligning his decision with the position of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, who has supported the defection by the MLAs.

They emphasized that the 10 BRS MLAs not only joined the Congress party but actively campaigned for it in various elections.

Sanjay remarked that all 10 defecting MLAs should resign, predicting that there would certainly be by-elections for 10 Assembly seats.

In response to the Speaker's ruling, senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao expressed that Rahul Gandhi's slogan “Save the Constitution” has been exposed by the Speaker's ruling concerning the defected MLAs.

“This does not constitute preserving the Constitution; rather, it is a politically motivated manipulation orchestrated by the Telangana Congress Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, and his administration. While preaching constitutional morality in Delhi, they are violating it in Telangana, revealing the true nature of Congress and Rahul Gandhi,” he posted on X.

The BRS criticized the Speaker for rejecting the disqualification petitions on the grounds of insufficient evidence regarding the MLAs' affiliation with the Congress party. The party shared on its X handle photographs of the defected MLAs donning Congress ‘scarves’ after their association with the ruling party in the presence of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

In his ruling concerning the disqualification petitions, the Speaker stated that the Anti-Defection Law does not apply to the MLAs Tellam Venkat Rao, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, T. Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and Arekapudi Gandhi.

He clarified that the MLAs are technically still part of the BRS.

The Speaker addressed the petitions regarding the disqualification of five out of 10 BRS MLAs who allegedly shifted their loyalty to the ruling party.

The Speaker has concluded the hearing on petitions for the disqualification of eight MLAs and has reserved judgment.

The Speaker is anticipated to make a ruling on Thursday regarding the disqualification of three additional MLAs - Kale Yadaiah, Sanjay Kumar, and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy.

A decision regarding the disqualification of two other MLAs, Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari, is expected after they submit their responses to the notices served to them.

Point of View

I observe that the ongoing legal battle between BRS and the Telangana Assembly Speaker underscores a broader struggle over political integrity and loyalty. This situation reflects the complexities of modern Indian politics, where party affiliations can shift rapidly, impacting governance and public trust. It is crucial for the democratic process that such disputes are resolved fairly and transparently, ensuring that the voices of the electorate are upheld.
NationPress
19/12/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted BRS to challenge the Speaker's order?
BRS is contesting the Speaker's ruling on disqualification petitions for five MLAs who allegedly defected to Congress, viewing the order as unconstitutional.
What are the allegations against the MLAs?
The MLAs are accused of switching loyalties to the Congress party and campaigning for them in various elections.
What was the Speaker's justification for his ruling?
The Speaker claimed that the Anti-Defection Law does not apply to the MLAs in question and ruled that they remain technically part of BRS.
What are the potential implications of this legal battle?
This challenge could significantly impact the political landscape in Telangana, influencing future elections and party dynamics.
How has BRS responded to the Speaker's decision?
BRS has criticized the Speaker for not considering their arguments and has shared evidence of the defected MLAs' affiliation with Congress.
Nation Press