BRS MLAs defection: Harish Rao presses speaker for quick decision, flags ‘irregularities’ in Assembly proceedings

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Siddipet MLA and former Minister T Harish Rao has urged Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to immediately dispose of the pending disqualification petitions against 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress.

Expressing ‘grave concern’ over the prolonged delay, Harish Rao said such inaction violates constitutional provisions and erodes public faith in the Legislature.

‘Delay violates constitutional provisions’

In a detailed letter to the Speaker, the BRS leader said the delay in deciding the petitions under the Tenth Schedule violates Article 191(2) of the Constitution.

He pointed out that the Telangana Legislative Assembly (Disqualification on Ground Defection) Rules, 1986 — particularly Rules 3 to 7 — mandate time-bound inquiry, issuance of notices and expeditious disposal of cases.

He also reminded that the Supreme Court had directed Speakers across the country to decide such cases within a ‘reasonable time’, citing the Keisham Meghachandra Singh vs Speaker, Manipur Legislative Assembly judgment. Continued non-compliance, he warned, would seriously undermine constitutional morality.

Speaker congratulated, but institutional lapses flagged

While congratulating the Speaker on completing two years in office, Harish Rao said it was deeply unfortunate that during this period several core rules and procedures governing the functioning of the House were not followed, resulting in institutional weakening.

He alleged that the Assembly has been functioning far below the standards expected of a constitutional body.

Decline in Assembly working days

The former minister pointed out that the number of sitting days has declined significantly, contrary to Rule 12, which requires the House to meet as per the State’s legislative workload. He also criticised frequent and abrupt adjournments, saying they violate Rules 13 and 16 governing sittings and adjournments.

Question Hour and Zero Hour ‘systematically curtained’

Harish Rao alleged that Question Hour and Zero Hour were not being conducted as per Rules 38 to 52 and 53 to 62. Starred questions were rarely taken up, supplementary questions were restricted, and Zero Hour was routinely cut short, weakening legislative accountability.

He further said that replies to unstarred questions were not being supplied to members despite clear rules mandating written responses, which he described as a serious blow to transparency.

‘Committees non-functional for nearly two years’

Describing it as a ‘serious constitutional failure,’ Harish Rao said several House Committees have not been constituted for nearly two years.

This, he said, violates Rules 196, 198 and 227, which deal with appointment, tenure and continuity of committees. The absence of committees has crippled legislative scrutiny and oversight.

Deputy Speaker vacancy affects privileges committee

He also raised concerns over the prolonged vacancy in the Deputy Speaker’s post. Since the Deputy Speaker functions as Chairman of the Privileges Committee, several privilege cases remain pending due to the committee becoming non-functional.

‘Estimates committee left headless’

The BRS leader further pointed out that the resignation of the Chairman of the Estimates Committee has weakened financial oversight. He said the failure to reconstitute key statutory committees has brought crucial legislative review to a standstill.