In a significant political development, the Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker has thrown out petitions seeking the disqualification of five legislators from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) who allegedly defected to the ruling Congress party. The decision grants a major reprieve to the accused MLAs, drawing sharp criticism from the opposition.
The Speaker's Verdict and Key Details
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar officially dismissed the disqualification petitions filed by the BRS against its former members. The petitions were aimed at unseating the MLAs under the anti-defection law after they switched allegiance following the 2023 state assembly elections.
The five MLAs who have been granted relief are:
- Tellam Venkat Rao (Alhambra constituency)
- Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal)
- T Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar)
- Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru)
- Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally)
In his order, the Speaker stated that the decision was made after a thorough examination of the petitions, the material on record, and by strictly adhering to the principles of natural justice. He cited a lack of sufficient evidence to prove the defection charges against the legislators.
BRS Reaction and Legal Road Ahead
The ruling sparked an immediate and fierce reaction from the BRS. The party's working president, KT Rama Rao, lambasted the Speaker's order, calling it a "cruel joke in democracy." Speaking to PTI, he alleged that the Speaker was acting under pressure.
"He (Speaker) seems to be acting because, as the Chief Minister himself, on the floor of the Assembly said, nothing will happen to the MLAs who have defected. The Speaker is also obeying his directions and dictums," KT Rama Rao claimed. He firmly stated that the BRS would challenge the decision in a court of law, expressing hope for justice.
Background and Supreme Court's Role
This case involves ten BRS MLAs who joined the Congress after the 2023 polls. While petitions against five were dismissed, cases against the other five are still pending. The other accused MLAs are Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), M Sanjay Kumar (Jagtial), and Kale Yadaiah (Chevella).
The proceedings gained momentum after the Supreme Court intervened. Following a plea by the BRS, the top court on July 31 directed the Telangana Speaker to decide on all disqualification petitions within three months. The hearings commenced on September 29.
The Speaker's action came after the Supreme Court served him a contempt notice on November 17 for not deciding on the pleas. The final hearings in the case concluded on November 20, leading to this week's verdict.
This decision is set to have significant ramifications for Telangana's political landscape, potentially affecting the stability of the Congress government and setting a precedent for future defection cases in the state assembly. All eyes are now on the BRS's promised legal challenge in the higher judiciary.
