Hyderabad: The Assembly intensified hearings in the MLA Disqualification Petitions on Thursday, taking up complaints against Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari and Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender.
The Speaker reviewed the disqualification petition filed against Kadiyam Srihari. BRS MLA KP Vivekanand submitted the complaint and sought action under the anti-defection law. He attended the hearing and defended his petition before the Speaker.
During the proceedings, Srihari’s advocates cross-examined Vivekanand’s counsel. Earlier this month, Vivekanand submitted additional documentary evidence to support his case. The Speaker examined procedural and evidentiary aspects linked to the petition. These proceedings form part of the broader MLA Disqualification Petitions pending before the Assembly Secretariat.
MLA Disqualification Petitions raise affidavit issue in Danam case
A day earlier, the Speaker heard arguments in the petition concerning Danam Nagender. Kaushik Reddy and BJP Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy filed the complaint. The hearing focused on claims related to alleged defection.
Danam Nagender’s legal team cross-examined the complainants during the session. After the hearing, Aleti Maheshwar Reddy addressed the media outside the Assembly. He said the Speaker asked whether the BRS had filed an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that Danam Nagender was suspended from the party.
He added that if such an affidavit confirmed suspension, the disqualification case might not stand. Therefore, he questioned why the issue had not surfaced earlier. His remarks triggered discussion in political circles over the party’s disciplinary action.
Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the Speaker decides MLA Disqualification Petitions involving alleged defection. Courts may review the decision after the Speaker issues a final order. The Assembly continued hearing the petitions as part of due legislative procedure.
