Eight of the ten Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs, accused of defecting to the Congress party, have responded to notices issued by Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, asserting they remain loyal to BRS and met Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy solely to discuss constituency development. Notably, Arikepudi Gandhi continues to serve as the Public Accounts Committee Chairman for BRS. However, Danam Nagender and Kadiyam Srihari have sought additional time to reply, with Nagender facing potential technical issues due to his contesting as a Congress MP from Secunderabad while remaining a BRS MLA.

Analysts suggest that if the Speaker finds the eight MLAs’ explanations satisfactory, they may escape disqualification. However, Nagender’s dual role as a BRS MLA and Congress MP candidate could complicate his case. The Supreme Court also urged Parliament to review the mechanism of entrusting Speakers with disqualification decisions, questioning its effectiveness in combating political defections.

The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling a few weeks ago, mandated a three-month deadline for the Speaker to decide on the disqualification of the ten MLAs under the anti-defection law. The bench, comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih, criticized prolonged delays in such proceedings, stating they undermine democratic principles. The MLAs in question—Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), 

Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Arikepudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella), Sanjay Kumar (Jagtial), and Tellam Venkata Rao (Bhadrachalam)—were issued notices following allegations of switching to Congress.

The Court highlighted that Speakers, acting as quasi-judicial authorities under the Tenth Schedule, lack constitutional immunity and are subject to judicial review for inaction. It also barred the MLAs from further delaying proceedings, warning of adverse inferences if attempts are made to stall. The ruling stemmed from a September 2024 Telangana High Court order, later modified by a Division Bench, urging the Speaker to act within a reasonable timeframe after a seven-month delay in issuing notices.