Hyderabad: Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has summoned Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender to appear on January 30 in connection with the Danam Nagender defection case. The summons follow disqualification petitions filed by BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy and BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy. Both of these MLAs have also been asked to appear for the hearing.
The Speaker initiated this move amid criticism over delays in acting on MLA defection complaints. While ten MLAs faced such allegations, the Speaker has already cleared seven of them. These include Arikapudi Gandhi, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Bandla Krishna Mohan, Prakash Goud, Tellam Venkat Rao, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, and Kale Yadiah. He recognised them as BRS legislators.
Danam Nagender defection case under scrutiny after MP bid on Congress ticket
However, no inquiry had been conducted until now against Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, and Dr. Sanjay. Notably, Nagender contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on a Congress B-form. He was still officially listed as a BRS MLA, which is now evidence central to the disqualification case.
Political sources suggest that Danam Nagender may resign and trigger a by-election before any official action is taken. His next steps are being closely watched.
SC pressure accelerates action on defection petitions
On January 19, the Supreme Court issued contempt notices to Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar over delays in deciding disqualification cases. The court warned of strict action if no progress was made. The Speaker’s latest summons to Nagender are seen as a direct response to the apex court’s warning.
The upcoming hearing on January 30 is expected to shape the course of action in the high-profile defection case.