HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday (Novermber 17) cautioned Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar that he could face contempt proceedings if he does not decide promptly on the pending disqualification petitions against 10 Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislators who joined the ruling Congress party.
A bench led by Chief Justice B. R. Gavai expressed dissatisfaction with the delay, noting that earlier directions issued on 31 July 2025 required the Speaker to dispose of the petitions within three months. “Either it has to be decided by next week or face contempt,” the Chief Justice observed.
The bench reiterated its earlier finding that the Speaker does not enjoy constitutional immunity when acting on disqualification matters under the Tenth Schedule.
Background: Defections Following the 2023 Telangana Election
The developments follow the December 2023 Telangana Legislative Assembly elections, in which the Indian National Congress (INC) won 64 of the 119 seats. The BRS secured 39 seats.
Between March and July 2024, ten BRS MLAs shifted their allegiance to the Congress, increasing the ruling party’s strength to 74 and reducing the BRS tally to 29.
The MLAs involved are T. Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), Kalvakuntla Sanjay Kumar (Korutla), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy (Jogulamba Gadwal), Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella) and Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam).
BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy subsequently filed disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law, arguing that the defecting legislators had violated the mandate under which they were elected.
Hearings before the Speaker began in February 2025. Notices were issued to the legislators seeking their responses, and cross-examinations for most petitioners have concluded. However, no final orders have been delivered yet, prompting judicial intervention.
BRS leaders, KTR, have framed the delays as “political vendetta,” challenging the defectors to resign and contest fresh polls to “prove their mandate.” Congress officials, meanwhile, have defended the Speaker’s pace, citing procedural complexities.
The defection case carries potential political ramifications. A decision in favour of disqualification may lead to by-elections in up to ten constituencies, which could test the Congress government’s support base nearly two years after the 2023 polls.
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