In a significant political development in Telangana, Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has dismissed petitions seeking the disqualification of two Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislators. The decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the ruling Congress and the opposition BRS, marking another chapter in the state’s fractious political landscape.
The petitions, filed by Congress MLAs, accused BRS leaders P Kaushik Reddy and G Mahipal Reddy of anti-party activities following their alleged support for the ruling party’s candidates in recent elections. Kaushik Reddy had vocally backed Congress in the Lok Sabha polls, while Mahipal Reddy was accused of similar defection. These moves had sparked intense debates within the assembly about loyalty and defection laws.
Speaker Prasad, after a detailed review of the complaints and hearings from all parties involved, ruled that the actions did not constitute defection under the 10th Schedule of the Constitution. He emphasized that individual expressions of support do not automatically trigger disqualification unless there is a formal merger or mass defection. ‘The legislators have not violated the anti-defection law,’ he stated in his order, providing a major relief to the BRS camp.
This ruling follows a similar dismissal last month where the Speaker rejected a petition against another BRS MLA. BRS working president K T Rama Rao hailed the decision as a ‘victory for democracy,’ accusing the Congress of attempting to weaken the opposition through ‘vendetta politics.’ On the other hand, Congress leaders expressed dismay, hinting at possible appeals to higher courts.
The decision underscores the delicate balance Speaker Prasad has maintained since assuming office, navigating pressures from both sides. With by-elections looming and assembly sessions intensifying, this verdict could influence future disqualification cases and reshape alliance dynamics in Telangana. Political analysts suggest it reinforces the autonomy of the Speaker’s office while highlighting loopholes in defection regulations that parties may seek to exploit.
