Hyderabad: Ten former BRS MLAs, who switched to the Congress up to July 2024, are now facing challenges. The state Assembly Speaker, G Prasad Kumar, has sent them notices, demanding their response within 90 days. These MLAs are seeking legal advice to potentially avoid losing their Assembly seats. This action follows a directive from the Supreme Court on July 25, leading to the Speaker’s notices to those who joined the ruling Congress after the 2023 elections.
The opposition BRS has been contesting these defections, accusing the MLAs of shifting allegiance to Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The involved MLAs include Danam Nagedhar (Khairatabad), Kadium Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy (Bhanswada), Arekepudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), Dr Sanjay Kumar (Jagityal), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella), Prakash Goud (Rajendarnagar), B Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), and G Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru). These legislators have avoided BRS activities since a defection case was filed against them in the Supreme Court. Fearing repercussions, they have also stayed away from Congress and government events.
After receiving the Speaker’s notice, Gadwal MLA B Krishna Mohan Reddy claimed he had not joined the ruling Congress. He stated, “I am technically still with BRS. I will abide by the law and follow any directives from the Speaker and the Supreme Court,” while also noting he would seek legal counsel and act accordingly.
