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The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has expressed its satisfaction with the Telangana High Court's directive to the Legislative Assembly Speaker to establish a timetable for hearing disqualification petitions filed against BRS MLAs who have defected to the ruling Congress party. The petitions target Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, and Tellam Venkata Rao, who switched allegiances to the Congress, triggering a wave of defections within the BRS.
In statements released on Monday, September 9, 2024, prominent BRS leaders including working president K.T. Rama Rao, senior leader and former minister T. Harish Rao, and former ministers V. Prashanth Reddy and S. Niranjanay Reddy celebrated the court's decision. They underscored the significance of the ruling, particularly in light of the exodus of 10 BRS MLAs and seven MLCs to the Congress. The BRS leaders maintained that the court's decision signifies a victory for democracy and upholds the principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution. They emphasized that the ruling underscores the fact that individuals who defect from their original parties cannot evade disqualification.
The BRS leaders expressed confidence that the disqualification of the defected MLAs will necessitate by-elections in their respective constituencies. They asserted that the BRS is poised to emerge victorious in these upcoming elections. The party believes that the Assembly Speaker will act swiftly in compliance with the court's order, safeguarding democracy by making a decision within the stipulated four-week timeframe.
Beyond the three MLAs directly impacted by the court's decision, seven additional BRS MLAs — Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, M. Sanjay, Kale Yadaiah, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, T. Prakash Goud, Arekapudi Gandhi, and Gudem Mahipal Reddy — have joined the Congress. Furthermore, seven BRS MLCs — Patnam Mahender Reddy, Buggarapu Daynand, M.S. Prabhakar Rao, T. Bhanu Prasad Rao, Baswaraju Saraiah, Dande Vithal, and Yegge Mallesham — have also switched loyalties to the ruling party. Council Chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy, a BRS MLC, has also sided with the Congress following his son, Gutha Amith Reddy's, earlier defection before the Lok Sabha elections.
Adding to the list of defections, BRS Rajya Sabha MP K. Keshava Rao joined the Congress and resigned from his post. He subsequently accepted the position of Political Advisor to the Telangana government. The political landscape in Telangana is in a state of flux as the BRS seeks to reclaim its lost ground and the Congress continues to consolidate its power.
Source: BRS welcomes Telangana High Court direction on MLAs disqualification petition