Hyderabad: The High Court issued notices to the Assembly Speaker and seven MLAs in the MLA defection case linked to BRS legislators joining the Congress, intensifying the political developments in Telangana. The MLA defection case challenges the Speaker’s ruling that the legislators had not defected.
A division bench heard petitions filed against the Speaker’s decision and moved to seek responses from the concerned parties. Consequently, the court directed the Speaker and the MLAs to explain their positions.
MLA defection case draws court scrutiny over Speaker ruling
The court asked Danam Nagender, Arikepudi Gandhi, Kale Yadaiah, Prakash Goud, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, and Tellam Venkata Rao to file detailed counters. Moreover, it instructed them to submit full explanations on the complaints raised against them.
Petitioners argued that the Speaker’s decision violated constitutional provisions. Therefore, they demanded immediate disqualification of the MLAs who shifted from BRS to Congress.
The development triggered strong reactions in political circles. Meanwhile, parties continued to track the proceedings closely as the case gained prominence.
The bench adjourned the hearing to April 16. Consequently, the next phase will depend on the counter affidavits and responses from the Speaker’s office and the MLAs.
In a parallel petition, BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy challenged the Speaker’s clean chit to Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender. The court, therefore, issued notices to both Nagender and the Speaker in that matter as well.
The outcome of the MLA defection case will hinge on submissions made in the next hearing.