Hyderabad: Telangana Assembly Speaker Prasad Kumar prepared to announce the final decision on MLA disqualification petitions involving five legislators who moved from the BRS to the Congress.
On Wednesday, the Speaker’s office issued notices to advocates representing the five MLAs named in the MLA disqualification petitions. Officials said the Speaker planned to announce the decision around 3.30 pm. Therefore, political parties closely watched the development, as the ruling will clarify the legislators’ status under the anti-defection law.
The petitions named Arikepudi Gandhi, Tellam Venkata Rao, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, Prakash Goud and Gudem Mahipal Reddy. Voters elected all five as BRS MLAs in the 2023 Telangana Assembly elections.
MLA disqualification petitions followed post-election defections
Meanwhile, the Congress won a clear majority in the 2023 Assembly elections, while the BRS lost power. After the results, the five BRS legislators joined the Congress. As a result, the defections triggered political debate across the state.
Subsequently, BRS and BJP leaders approached the court and sought disqualification of the MLAs. They argued that the legislators switched parties after winning on a BRS ticket. After hearing the case, the court directed the Speaker to act without delay.
Following the court’s direction, Prasad Kumar initiated formal proceedings and prepared a final ruling on the MLA disqualification petitions. The decision will determine whether the five legislators face disqualification under the anti-defection law.
