Hyderabad: The Assembly intensified hearings in the MLA Disqualification Petitions on Thursday, examining complaints against Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari and Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender.
MLA Disqualification Petitions hearing gathers pace
The Speaker took up the disqualification petition against Kadiyam Srihari and reviewed submissions placed on record. BRS MLA KP Vivekanand filed the complaint and sought Srihari’s disqualification under the anti-defection law.
Vivekanand attended the hearing and defended his petition before the Speaker. Srihari’s advocates cross-examined Vivekanand’s counsel during the proceedings. Earlier this month, Vivekanand submitted additional documentary evidence to strengthen his complaint.
The Speaker continued examining procedural and evidentiary aspects linked to the petition. The hearing formed part of the broader MLA Disqualification Petitions pending before the Assembly Secretariat.
Affidavit claim raises questions in Danam case
On the previous day, the Speaker heard arguments in the disqualification petition concerning Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender. Kaushik Reddy and BJP Legislature Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy filed that complaint.
During the hearing, Danam Nagender’s legal team cross-examined the complainants. After the proceedings, Aleti Maheshwar Reddy addressed the media outside the Assembly.
He said the Speaker asked him whether the BRS had submitted an affidavit before the Supreme Court stating that Danam Nagender had been suspended from the party. He added that if the party had filed such an affidavit confirming suspension, the disqualification case would not stand. He questioned why the party had not disclosed this issue earlier.
His remarks prompted discussion in political circles. Leaders debated whether the party had taken disciplinary action against Danam Nagender and whether such action could influence the petition’s outcome.
Under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, the Speaker decides disqualification petitions involving alleged defection. Courts may review that decision after the Speaker issues an order. The Assembly continued hearing the MLA Disqualification Petitions at the time of reporting.