Speaker continues disqualification hearings against MLAs under anti-defection law

Hyderabad: Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar continued hearing disqualification petitions against several MLAs under the Tenth Schedule on Wednesday.

The proceedings took place in the Speaker’s chamber, where legal representatives of the accused MLAs and the petitioners, mainly BRS legislators, participated. However, the complainant MLAs themselves did not attend the session.

During the hearing, lawyers representing Rajendranagar MLA Prakash Goud and Chevella MLA Kale Yadaiah were cross-examined by the petitioners’ counsel. On Monday, the defence had cross-examined the petitioners’ advocates. Wednesday’s session saw the reverse.

In the first round, Prakash Goud’s legal team faced questions from the lawyer representing BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay. This was followed by arguments between the legal representatives of Kale Yadaiah and BRS MLA Chinta Prabhakar.

The Speaker allotted one hour per MLA for the petitioners and their advocates to present their case. The cross-examinations reportedly focused on multiple points related to party defection. Petitioners’ counsel presented their evidence while questioning the respondents.

Due to time constraints, the hearings for MLAs Gudem Mahipal Reddy and Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy were postponed to October 4.

Meanwhile, heightened security was deployed at the Assembly premises, and restrictions have been imposed until October 6, as announced in an official bulletin.