Is Telangana Speaker Hearing Disqualification Petitions Against MLA Danam Nagender?
Synopsis
The ongoing hearings by Telangana's Assembly Speaker regarding MLA Danam Nagender's disqualification petitions mark a significant moment in state politics, with implications for party loyalty and electoral integrity.
Key Takeaways
Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar is hearing disqualification petitions against MLA Danam Nagender .
The petitions arise from allegations of loyalty shifts from BRS to Congress .
The Supreme Court has mandated a decision within two weeks.
Previous petitions against other BRS MLAs were dismissed due to lack of evidence.
Political implications are significant for Telangana's future.
Hyderabad, Jan 30 (NationPress) The Speaker of the Telangana Assembly, Gaddam Prasad Kumar, commenced hearings on petitions seeking the disqualification of MLA Danam Nagender. Nagender was elected under the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) banner but is accused of shifting allegiance to the ruling Congress party.
The Speaker will evaluate arguments from the legal representatives of BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy and BJP floor leader A. Maheshwar Reddy, while also documenting the evidence presented.
Following that, the Speaker will entertain arguments from Nagender’s counsel. Notably, Nagender stated that he has not yet received any notice from the Speaker regarding his appearance.
This hearing is a result of a recent directive from the Supreme Court, which mandated the Speaker to reach a decision on the disqualification petitions within two weeks.
Previously, the Speaker dismissed petitions aimed at disqualifying seven out of ten BRS MLAs accused of defecting to Congress in 2024, citing a lack of evidence proving their defection. He affirmed that all MLAs remain members of the BRS.
Last year, the Speaker concluded hearings for the disqualification of eight MLAs and has reserved the orders.
Currently, the ruling on the disqualification plea for MLA Sanjay Kumar is still pending.
Hearings for two other MLAs, Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari, could not proceed as they failed to submit their responses to the notices served.
While the BRS alleged that these MLAs openly joined the Congress party and even occupied seats in the Treasury Benches, the MLAs refuted these claims, asserting they merely sought development funds from Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
The BRS informed the Speaker that Nagender not only joined Congress but also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket. Additionally, it was alleged that Srihari campaigned for his daughter Kadiyam Kaviya, who ran as the Congress candidate in the Warangal constituency.
In response, Nagender emphasized that he neither resigned nor willingly relinquished his primary membership in the BRS.
Elected as a BRS candidate from the Khairatabad constituency in Hyderabad in 2023, Nagender mentioned he attended a Congress party meeting in March 2024 purely in a personal capacity.
Submitting a counter-affidavit to the Speaker, Nagender contended that the complainants based their claims solely on media reports and urged for the petitions to be dismissed.
Point of View
The unfolding hearings in Telangana highlight the complexities of party loyalty in Indian politics. The Speaker's role in adjudicating these disqualification petitions is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the democratic process. This situation warrants close attention as it may set precedents for future cases.
NationPress
8 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the disqualification hearing?
The hearing aims to determine whether MLA Danam Nagender's alleged shift from BRS to Congress warrants disqualification from the Telangana Assembly.
Who is presiding over the disqualification hearings?
The hearings are being presided over by Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.
What led to the recent hearings on disqualification?
The hearings were initiated following a directive from the Supreme Court, which required the Speaker to decide on the disqualification petitions within two weeks.
What claims are being made against MLA Danam Nagender?
Nagender is accused of defecting from the BRS to the ruling Congress party, which he denies, asserting he only sought development funds.
What has been the Speaker's previous rulings on similar petitions?
The Speaker previously dismissed petitions to disqualify seven out of ten BRS MLAs accused of defecting, citing insufficient evidence.
