Telangana Speaker seeks more time from SC to complete hearing of MLAs disqualification petitions

In a key development related to the disqualification of defected legislators in Telangana, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar’s office has approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of the deadline to complete hearings in the pending disqualification petitions.

The move comes as the three-month period set by the Supreme Court for concluding the inquiry into the defection cases expires on October 31. On July 31, the apex court had directed the Speaker to complete the proceedings “at all costs within three months” and to take action against any of the defectors.

This order followed petitions by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) seeking disqualification of its former MLAs who joined or supported the Congress.

According to sources, the Telangana Assembly Secretary, acting on behalf of the Speaker, filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an additional two months time to conclude the inquiry. The plea stated that only four legislators have been examined so far.

A few others have responded but senior leaders, Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari, are yet to appear before the Speaker or submit their affidavits, having sought more time to respond. After the 2023 Assembly elections, 10 BRS MLAs switched sides amid political realignment under the new Congress government led by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.