Hyderabad: The Supreme Court upheld former MLA Danam Nagender ’s disqualification and dismissed his petitions challenging the Telangana High Court verdict. The ruling leaves the Khairtabad Assembly constituency vacant and makes a by-election there inevitable.
Nagender was elected from Khairtabad as a BRS MLA. He later joined the Congress and contested the Lok Sabha election from Secunderabad on the Congress ticket.
The Telangana High Court recently ruled that Nagender stood disqualified with effect from April 23, 2024. It also set aside the clean chit given to him by Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar.
Nagender challenged the High Court verdict before the Supreme Court. After hearing his petitions, the apex court said it would not interfere with the High Court ruling and dismissed the pleas.
Khairtabad seat falls vacant after Danam Nagender ruling
Following the Supreme Court decision, the Khairtabad Assembly seat has officially fallen vacant. The development means the constituency will have to face a by-election.
The verdict has also drawn attention to other Telangana MLAs who switched parties. The possibility of similar disqualification action against them has increased political uncertainty in the state.
The Danam Nagender case has therefore assumed wider significance in Telangana politics. Political circles are closely watching whether similar action will follow against other legislators who changed parties.