Speaker’s ruling on MLA defections: KTR accuses Congress of undermining Democracy
HYDERABAD: Following the Telangana Assembly Speaker’s dismissal of disqualification petitions against two additional MLAs, BRS working president and former minister K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) strongly criticized the ruling Congress party and Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday.
Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove that Chevella MLA Kale Yadaiah and Banswada MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy had defected to another party. Both remain recognized as BRS MLAs. The Speaker had previously issued similar rulings for five other MLAs.
KTR accused Congress of undermining democracy and compromising constitutional offices. He stated that the ruling party is defending defecting MLAs and disregarding the Constitution.
His comments followed Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar’s dismissal of petitions seeking the disqualification of BRS MLAs Kale Yadaiah and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, citing insufficient evidence of defection. This decision was consistent with earlier rulings for five other MLAs accused of joining Congress.
KTR posted on X (formerly Twitter), alleging that Congress used political pressure to influence the Speaker’s office and protect the defectors. “The Congress party, by corrupting the Speaker’s office to prevent action against the defecting MLAs, has once again demonstrated its moral bankruptcy,” he said.
He described the Speaker’s conclusion of insufficient evidence as a deliberate affront to democratic institutions. “Even with a million pieces of evidence of defection right before their eyes, claiming a lack of evidence is an insult to the sacred legislative assembly itself,” KTR stated. He argued that public appearances, speeches, and political activity with Congress leaders constitute clear proof of defection under the anti-defection law.
The BRS leader linked the Speaker’s rulings to Congress’s reluctance to face by-elections. “This verdict clearly shows that the ruling party is trembling at the prospect of by-elections in the constituencies of the defecting MLAs, especially after the people gave the Congress a resounding defeat in the Panchayat elections,” he said.
KTR suggested that Congress is aware of its weakened position and is avoiding by-elections that could further reduce its numbers and morale. “No matter how many times the Congress party tries to protect the defecting MLAs, it will be of no use. They have already become ‘former’ MLAs in the court of public opinion,” he said.
KTR accused Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of personally facilitating defections by visiting MLAs and presenting them with Congress scarves. He stated that BRS would continue its efforts to hold those who disregarded the people’s mandate accountable, and indicated the party may challenge the Speaker’s decisions in higher courts.
He further accused Congress of ignoring both the Constitution and Supreme Court directives, which had set deadlines for the Speaker to resolve the disqualification cases.
