BRS MLAs defection case: Telangana Speaker rejects disqualification plea against Jagtial BRS MLA Sanjay Kumar
The petition was filed by BRS MLA Jagadish Reddy under the Anti-Defection Act. The Speaker, who had reserved orders on the matter last year, pronounced the decision on Wednesday.
By Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Hyderabad: Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has dismissed the petition seeking the disqualification of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Sanjay Kumar, ruling that there was no evidence to prove that he had defected to the ruling Congress party.
With this decision, the Speaker has now dismissed disqualification petitions against eight out of the 10 BRS MLAs accused of switching loyalties to the Congress in 2024.
The petition was filed by BRS MLA Jagadish Reddy under the Anti-Defection Act. The Speaker, who had reserved orders on the matter last year, pronounced the decision on Wednesday.
No proof of defection: Speaker
In his order, the Speaker held that the petitioner failed to establish that Sanjay Kumar, who represents the Jagtial constituency, had formally joined the Congress.
In the absence of such proof, the provisions of the Anti-Defection Act could not be invoked, he said.
Earlier petitions also rejected
In December 2025, the Speaker had rejected disqualification pleas against five MLAs, Tellam Venkat Rao, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, T Prakash Goud, Gudem Mahipal Reddy and Arekapudi Gandhi.
On January 15, similar petitions against Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Kale Yadaiah were also dismissed.
Next hearings on pending cases
The order on Sanjay Kumar was pronounced just hours before the Speaker was scheduled to begin hearings on the disqualification petition against another MLA, Kadiyam Srihari.
The Speaker has summoned Srihari and the petitioner, KP Vivekanand, to record evidence.
Hearings in the case of MLA Danam Nagender, which began on January 30, were adjourned to February 18 after BJP floor leader A Maheshwar Reddy sought more time to present arguments, citing the municipal elections.
The Speaker took up the Nagender case following a recent directive from the Supreme Court, which asked him to decide the remaining disqualification petitions within two weeks.
Sanjay Kumar’s stand
Responding to the allegations, Sanjay Kumar reiterated that he continues to be a BRS MLA.
“I was elected on the BRS symbol and I remain in the party. I met Chief Minister Revanth Reddy only to seek funds for Jagtial’s development. Draping a shawl does not mean joining the Congress,” he said.
He also stated that he continues to pay monthly contributions to the BRS and has submitted an affidavit affirming his party membership.
Jagadish Reddy slams Speaker’s decision
Former minister and BRS MLA Jagadish Reddy strongly criticised the Speaker’s ruling, alleging bias and violation of constitutional principles.
He claimed that MLAs who had ‘openly defected’ were attending Congress meetings and public programmes, but the Speaker had chosen to ignore this.
“The Speaker’s decision is unlawful. Even if he lets them go, the courts will not. The people are watching, and they will hold the Congress accountable,” Jagadish Reddy said.
