In Hyderabad, Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar kicked off a key trial on Monday to handle petitions from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) seeking disqualification of MLAs who switched sides. The focus is on four turncoat legislators: T Prakash Goud from Rajendranagar, Kale Yadaiah from Chevella, Gudem Mahipal Reddy from Patancheru, and Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy from Jogulamba Gadwal. These defected MLAs face summons on Monday and Wednesday.
The hearing, held behind closed doors, runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. It follows the rules of the Constitution’s Tenth Schedule on party defections. Things got underway with cross-examination of BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay by Goud’s lawyer. Next up: BRS members Chinta Prabhakar and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy facing questions from the defectors’ teams.
Come October 1, the process flips. Goud will answer to Sanjay’s counsel, while Yadaiah, Mahipal Reddy, and Krishnamohan Reddy get grilled by the BRS lawyers.
This marks a historic first for the Telangana Assembly, as the Speaker personally oversees such disqualification hearings.
Security stays tight at the legislature building, with restrictions keeping media and visitors out. Officials banned mobile phones inside the hearing room to prevent recordings or photos. Break the rule, and you lose your device—plus, lawyers could get barred from future sessions, warned Legislature Secretary V. Narasimha Charyulu.
The drama stems from last year’s BRS complaints against 10 of their MLAs who jumped to the ruling Congress party after the November 2023 elections. Frustrated by delays, BRS leaders took the matter to the Supreme Court. On July 31, the court ordered the assembly to wrap up the cases within three months.
The Speaker recently sent notices to the defectors, reviewed their responses, and greenlit the full trial.
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
