Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has dismissed disqualification petitions filed against two Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs Kale Yadaiah and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy who were accused of defecting to the ruling Congress party. The Speaker ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to establish that the legislators had voluntarily given up their party membership, which is a key requirement under the anti defection law.
With this decision, both MLAs will continue to be recognised as members of the BRS, and the petitions seeking their disqualification have been rejected. The Speaker noted that public appearances, political statements, or perceived proximity to another party alone do not constitute defection unless supported by clear documentary proof or formal resignation from the party.
This order brings the total number of BRS MLAs cleared in similar cases to seven so far. However, disqualification petitions against three other MLAs Kadiyam Srihari, Danam Nagender, and M. Sanjay Kumar are still pending, with further hearings expected.
The issue of alleged defections has attracted political and legal attention, especially after several BRS legislators were reported to have aligned with the Congress following the 2023 Assembly elections. The Speaker’s decisions come amid ongoing scrutiny over delays in resolving defection cases, with courts earlier urging timely action.
