Telangana Assembly Speaker Adjourns Nagender Disqualification Hearing, Misses Supreme Court Deadline
In a significant development in Telangana's political landscape, Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar has adjourned the hearing on disqualification petitions filed against Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender to February 18. This decision comes following a formal request from BJP floor leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy, who sought additional time to present his arguments comprehensively in this politically sensitive case.
Speaker Misses Supreme Court's Two-Week Deadline
With this adjournment, the Speaker will miss the Supreme Court's explicit two-week deadline, which was set to conclude on Saturday. The apex court had directed the prompt disposal of petitions filed by both BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy and BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy, which are being heard together in this matter. "On the request of the BJP MLA, I adjourned the hearing to Feb 18. Both Padi Kaushik Reddy and Maheshwar Reddy's petitions will be heard together," Speaker Prasad Kumar confirmed on Friday, acknowledging the procedural delay.
BJP Leader Cites Municipal Election Commitments
Maheshwar Reddy, who submitted a detailed affidavit to the Speaker on Friday, presented a compelling case for postponement. He highlighted that the Telangana State Election Commission (SEC) has issued notifications for municipal elections covering 116 municipalities and seven corporations. The nomination filing period spanned from January 27 to 30, with results scheduled for announcement on February 13. Consequently, he urged the Speaker to reschedule the hearing until after February 20 to accommodate these electoral responsibilities.
"As the leader of the BJP legislature party, I am deeply engaged with the ongoing urban local bodies elections. I received notices from the speaker on Jan 28 requiring my appearance for a hearing on Jan 30. Currently stationed in my assembly constituency, I must undertake extensive statewide campaigning tours. I may not be able to attend the tribunal hearing until the completion of municipal chairpersons and mayors' elections," Maheshwar Reddy explained, emphasizing his electoral priorities.
BRS Submits Evidence for Disqualification
Meanwhile, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has proactively submitted affidavits through its legal representatives, formally seeking Nagender's disqualification. The party's submission alleges that Nagender switched his political loyalties to the Congress and even contested as a Congress candidate from the Secunderabad Lok Sabha seat during the 2024 general elections. To substantiate their claims, BRS advocates presented newspaper clippings and video evidence, documenting Nagender's alleged defection and subsequent political activities.
Nagender's Defense and Counter-Arguments
In his defense, Nagender, who filed his affidavit with the Speaker several weeks ago, maintains that he remains affiliated with the BRS. He contends that the party's conclusions are based solely on misinterpreted newspaper reports. Nagender clarified that his attendance at a Congress meeting in March 2024 was in a strictly personal capacity and not as a sitting MLA. "I did not resign from the BRS, and I have no official information regarding my suspension from the party. I attended the Congress meeting in March 2024 personally, and the BRS assumes my defection based on media reports," he asserted.
Furthermore, Nagender has urged the Speaker to dismiss the disqualification petition outright, arguing that subsequent developments after the petition's filing should not be considered in the proceedings. This legal stance adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious political dispute.
The adjournment and missed deadline underscore the intricate interplay between judicial mandates, legislative procedures, and electoral calendars in Telangana's dynamic political environment. All stakeholders now await the rescheduled hearing on February 18 for further clarifications and potential resolutions.
