Speaker issues disqualification notices to 10 BRS MLAs after Supreme Court order

Hyderabad: Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has issued disqualification notices to ten BRS MLAs accused of defecting to the Congress party. The action followed the Supreme Court’s order directing him to resolve pending anti-defection petitions within three months.

On July 25, the Supreme Court ruled that the Speaker must expedite the process and conclude the matter without delay. Soon after, Speaker Kumar consulted the Advocate General and senior advocates before moving ahead with issuing the notices.

The legislators who received notices are Kadiam Srihari, D. Nagender, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Sanjay Kumar, Tellam Venkatrao, Arekapudi Gandhi, Kale Yadaiah, Prakash Goud, Krishna Mohan Reddy, and Mahipal Reddy.

The BRS petitioned for their disqualification under the Tenth Schedule, alleging that they defected to Congress in violation of the anti-defection law. A few MLAs, however, denied any formal switch, claiming they remain with the BRS.

Speaker Kumar’s decision to serve the disqualification notices is seen as a crucial step in implementing constitutional safeguards against defection. The Speaker will review the MLAs’ replies before announcing his final ruling, a decision expected to have significant consequences for both BRS and Congress inside the Assembly.