Hyderabad: Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy strongly criticised the Speaker decision on defector MLAs, calling it contrary to democratic values and constitutional principles. Speaking to the media in Delhi, he said the ruling on MLAs who won on the BRS symbol and later joined the Congress undermined public trust in constitutional institutions.
Kishan Reddy said there was clear evidence that ten MLAs had joined the Congress. However, he termed it unfortunate that the Speaker concluded they had not defected. He alleged that both Congress and the BRS showed no respect for the Constitution or the law. According to him, the Speaker decision on defector MLAs weakened the anti-defection framework.
He further alleged that the anti-defection law was openly violated earlier by the BRS and was now being ignored by the Congress. Kishan Reddy demanded that Rahul Gandhi, if he truly respected the Constitution, should support disqualification of MLAs who switched parties. He also urged the Speaker to act independently and take a lawful, impartial decision.
Speaker decision on defector MLAs draws political criticism
Kishan Reddy said the issue could escalate further on political and legal fronts. He said the Speaker decision on defector MLAs had already triggered sharp reactions across parties. Political observers, he added, expected the matter to intensify in the coming days.
Meanwhile, Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar delivered a key ruling on Wednesday on petitions seeking disqualification of MLAs. He dismissed petitions filed against Tellam Venkata Rao, Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Prakash Goud and Arekapudi Gandhi.
In his ruling, the Speaker said petitioners failed to submit adequate evidence to prove that the five MLAs had defected. He clarified that, technically, they continued to remain with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi. Therefore, he ruled out any scope for disqualification under the anti-defection law.