TELANGANA: BRS to Move Court Over Speaker’s MLA Disqualification Ruling
Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has rejected disqualification petitions filed against five Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs accused of switching loyalties to the ruling Congress party.
The decision came after detailed hearings, with the Speaker concluding that there was insufficient evidence to prove the legislators had formally joined Congress.
He noted that the anti-defection law did not apply in the cases of Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and Arekapudi Gandhi, adding that they technically remain BRS members.
Affected Legislators Named
The five MLAs cleared in this ruling include:
- Tellam Venkat Rao from Bhadrachalam
- Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy from Gadwal
- Arekapudi Gandhi
- T. Prakash Goud
- Gudem Mahipal Reddy
Petitions against the remaining five of the original ten are still under review, with updates expected soon.
BRS Condemns Ruling as Biased
BRS leaders quickly denounced the verdict, calling it one-sided and influenced by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.
MLAs K. Sanjay and K.P. Vivekanand told reporters that the Speaker ignored their submissions entirely and failed to maintain neutrality as head of the tribunal.
They pointed out that the ten MLAs in question had actively campaigned for Congress, predicting by-elections would eventually occur in those seats.
Harish Rao Targets National Congress Narrative
Senior BRS figure and former minister T. Harish Rao took aim at Rahul Gandhi’s frequent calls to “protect the Constitution.”
In a pointed social media post, he argued the Speaker’s order revealed the emptiness of that message, accusing the Congress leadership in Telangana of exploiting constitutional processes for political gain.
Party Highlights Visual Evidence
BRS pushed back against claims of no proof by sharing photographs on social media showing the accused MLAs wearing Congress scarves alongside the Chief Minister.
The party insists these images clearly demonstrate open alignment with the ruling side.
Legal Fight Ahead
Leaders confirmed plans to contest the Speaker’s decision in court, labeling it unconstitutional and a setback for democratic principles.
This development has intensified political tensions in the state assembly.