Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) strongly opposed the Speaker’s decision to dismiss MLA disqualification pleas against five legislators accused of defection and, therefore, announced that it would challenge the order in court.
BRS MLAs K. Sanjay and K.P. Vivekanand told the media that the Speaker’s ruling was one-sided. Moreover, they alleged that he ignored their arguments and material submissions.
The two MLAs said the Speaker failed to act impartially despite functioning as a tribunal head. Instead, they alleged that the decision reflected Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s political stand rather than constitutional principles.
MLA disqualification pleas spark sharp BRS reaction
Meanwhile, BRS leaders recalled that 10 MLAs accused of defection openly campaigned for the Congress during elections. Therefore, Sanjay said the state would inevitably witness by-elections in all those constituencies.
Separately, senior BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao reacted to the ruling. In a post on X, he said Rahul Gandhi’s slogan of “save the Constitution” stood exposed by the Speaker’s decision. He further alleged that the Congress used the Constitution for political gain under Revanth Reddy’s leadership.
At the same time, the BRS rejected the Speaker’s observation that no evidence existed to prove the MLAs had joined the Congress. Accordingly, the party shared photographs on its X account showing the defecting MLAs wearing Congress scarves in the presence of the Chief Minister.
In his order, the Speaker said the anti-defection law did not apply to Tellam Venkat Rao, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, T. Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy and Arikepudi Gandhi. Consequently, he stated that, technically, they continued as BRS MLAs.
Finally, the Speaker said he would deliver the verdict on disqualification pleas against three other MLAs on Thursday. He added that he would decide on the remaining two cases after receiving their explanations.