Hyderabad: The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has intensified its efforts to address the defection of 10 of its MLAs to the ruling Congress party in Telangana, urging Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to take decisive action. Led by party working president K. T. Rama Rao, a delegation of BRS leaders met with the Speaker and presented a memorandum outlining their demands under the Anti-Defection Act.
Following the submission, Rama Rao addressed the media, stressing their call for the disqualification of all defected MLAs, including D. Nagender, for whom they had already filed a disqualification petition. He emphasized that the Speaker must swiftly adjudicate on their latest petition, warning of potential recourse to the Supreme Court if the matter remains unresolved. “We hope the Speaker will act promptly. If not, we are prepared to seek redress from the highest court,” Rama Rao asserted.
The delegation drew attention to recent Supreme Court rulings mandating a Speaker’s decision within three months of receiving a disqualification petition. They highlighted a precedent in Manipur where a Congress MLA was disqualified for similar actions, underscoring the importance of upholding judicial directives to maintain the integrity of legislative processes.
In his remarks, KTR criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of hypocrisy for publicly championing constitutional values while allegedly condoning defections in Telangana. He also pointed out Congress’s election promise to legislate automatic disqualification laws, contrasting it with their current actions. KTR raised concerns over the ethical implications of alleged financial inducements in Telangana politics, referencing claims made in Karnataka regarding attempts to purchase MLAs.
The BRS delegation concluded by urging the Speaker to uphold the dignity of his office and adhere to constitutional principles, warning that failure to do so could undermine public trust in the institution. They emphasized the need for swift and decisive action to maintain the ethical standards expected of elected representatives and safeguard democratic processes in Telangana.
