No evidence of defection, Telangana Speaker clears two BRS MLAs

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Wednesday dismissed disqualification petitions against two more Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy of Banswada and Kale Yadaiah of Chevella.

The Speaker ruled that there was no evidence to prove that the two legislators had defected to the ruling Congress party, holding that the anti-defection law under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution was not applicable. With this decision, both MLAs will technically continue as members of the BRS.

The ruling has provided relief to seven out of the 10 BRS MLAs who were elected on BRS tickets in the 2023 Assembly elections but were accused of switching loyalties to the Congress in 2024.

In December 2025, disqualification petitions against five other MLAs, Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), T Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally) were also dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

Disqualification proceedings are still pending against three MLAs, Kadiyam Srihari, Danam Nagendar, and M Sanjay Kumar, with hearings either pending or reserved.

The BRS had moved the petitions alleging that the MLAs had openly supported the Congress by participating in party programmes and meeting Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The MLAs, however, denied any formal defection, claiming their interactions were limited to seeking development funds for their constituencies.

The matter had reached the Supreme Court, which in November 2025 issued a contempt notice to the Speaker over delays and directed timely disposal of the cases. The latest ruling came a day ahead of a scheduled Supreme Court hearing on January 16, 2026.

Reacting sharply, BRS working president KT Rama Rao accused the Congress of undermining constitutional institutions and shielding defected MLAs for political reasons. He alleged that the Speaker’s decision mocked democratic values and claimed the ruling party feared by-elections after its setback in the Panchayat polls. Rao said the BRS would continue its struggle against what it termed betrayal of the people’s mandate.

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