Hyderabad: On Saturday, State Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar wrapped up questioning in an anti-defection investigation involving two MLAs who switched from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the ruling Congress. The focus was on Patancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy and Jogulamba Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy.
Inside the Speaker’s chambers, these MLAs faced tough questions from the petitioners’ lawyers. During the session, both MLAs claimed they did not defect, explaining their meetings with Congress leaders were only about developing their constituencies.
However, BRS lawyers, representing petitioner MLA Chinta Prabhakar, presented evidence like videos of the MLAs joining Congress and statements from party leaders.
Outside the chambers, Advocate Bharat Kumar told reporters that the defecting MLAs had met with CM Revanth Reddy to plan their cross-examination strategy. He mentioned their request for video footage of that meeting and said a formal petition for the recordings would be filed on Sunday.
Bharat emphasized that the day’s focus was on evidence and questioning. He noted the importance of additional witness testimonies. The next hearing is scheduled for October 24.
