Assembly Speaker Rejects Disqualification of Five Defected MLAs, Political Storm Grows in Telangana
Telangana Speaker Gaddam Prasad dismisses disqualification petitions against five MLAs accused of defection from BRS to Congress, sparking political debate and legal scrutiny.

Munsif News 24×7 | Hyderabad: In a major political development, Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad has delivered his verdict on the long-pending party defection disqualification petitions, dismissing the pleas against five MLAs who joined the Congress after winning on the BRS symbol. The decision has triggered intense political debate, with the opposition questioning both the timing and intent of the verdict.
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Disqualification Petitions Against Five MLAs Dismissed
The Speaker rejected the disqualification petitions filed against the following MLAs:
- Arikepudi Gandhi
- Gudem Mahipal Reddy
- Tellam Venkat Rao
- Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy
- Prakash Goud
According to the ruling, there was no sufficient evidence to prove defection, and therefore, the MLAs were not disqualified. The Speaker stated that the allegations did not meet the legal requirements under the anti-defection law.
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Background: Delay Triggers Supreme Court Intervention
The issue of party defection has been under scrutiny for several months. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had earlier accused ten MLAs of defecting to the Congress and filed formal complaints.
Due to the prolonged delay in deciding the petitions, BRS Working President K.T. Rama Rao and other party leaders approached the Supreme Court, alleging inaction by the Speaker. The top court expressed strong displeasure over the delay and issued clear instructions for a time-bound decision.
Supreme Court Deadlines and Contempt Concerns
The Supreme Court had:
- Directed that the matter be decided within four weeks in May
- Later extended the deadline, ordering a final decision within three months
- Set October 21 as the outer deadline
Failure to meet these deadlines led to serious observations from the court, including warnings of possible contempt proceedings against the Speaker if no decision was taken.
With the deadline approaching, political circles are debating whether the verdict was delivered in haste to avoid contempt of court.
What About the Remaining MLAs?
Sources indicate that while notices were issued to ten MLAs, responses have been received from only eight so far.
- Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari reportedly met the Speaker personally and sought more time to respond.
- Danam Nagender has not submitted a response yet.
It is expected that the Speaker may seek additional time from the Supreme Court to decide on the remaining disqualification petitions.
Political Reactions and Growing Tension
The verdict has sharpened the political divide in Telangana. While the Congress views the decision as legally sound, the BRS has raised concerns over selective rulings and procedural delays.
With a crucial Supreme Court hearing scheduled, political observers say the next few days will be decisive in shaping the future course of the defection cases.
What Lies Ahead
As Telangana watches closely, the focus now shifts to:
- The fate of the remaining disqualification petitions
- The Supreme Court’s response to the Speaker’s actions
- Possible legal and political consequences ahead
The controversy has once again brought the anti-defection law and the Speaker’s role into the national spotlight.
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