Nine BRS MLAs meet Telangana CM Revanth as SC deadline on disqualification nears

Hyderabad: Nine of the ten Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislators who switched loyalties to the Congress last year met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at his Jubilee Hills residence on Sunday evening.

The meeting comes weeks after the Supreme Court ordered the Telangana Assembly Speaker to rule on their disqualification petitions within three months.

Closed-door deliberations

The hour-long meeting was attended by Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), M Sanjay Kumar (Jagital), Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), and T Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar).

B Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), G Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Kale Yadaiah (Chevella). Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari was the only notable absentee.

Though the legislators publicly described the interaction as a review of developmental needs in their constituencies, party insiders say legal strategy and political options dominated the conversation.

Krishna Mohan Reddy clarifies stand

Gadwal MLA B Krishna Mohan Reddy has already submitted his reply to the Speaker, asserting that he has “neither resigned from the BRS nor formally joined the Congress.”

He maintained that his meeting with the Chief Minister was solely to seek funds for constituency development. Reddy reiterated that he would continue coordinating with the government on funding issues and welcomed even BRS workers to approach him for matters concerning Gadwal.

Apex Court directive spurs action

On July 31, a bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai directed Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to dispose of the disqualification petitions “as expeditiously as possible and, in any case, within three months.”

The petitions, filed by BRS working president KT Rama Rao (KTR) and other party leaders, seek the removal of the ten MLAs under the anti-defection provisions of the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.

Speaker issues notices

Following the Supreme Court order, the Speaker served notices to all ten legislators, asking them to explain why they should not be disqualified.

Assembly records still list them as BRS members, a fact the defectors cite to claim they have not formally severed ties, even as they continue to align with the Congress in legislative and political matters.

Political stakes

The Congress, which wrested power from the BRS in December 2023, relies on the defectors for legislative strength and stability. Their fate will directly impact the government’s numbers as well as the credibility of the anti-defection law. BRS leaders maintain that retaining the MLAs undermines democratic ethics and erodes public trust.

Background: A Year of Realignments

March–August 2024: Ten BRS MLAs extended support to the ruling Congress, citing a “development agenda” and dissatisfaction with the K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) leadership.

BRS Response: Working president KTR petitioned the Speaker for disqualification, invoking the Tenth Schedule.

Judicial Intervention: Prolonged inaction prompted the BRS to approach the Supreme Court, which imposed the three-month deadline.

What lies ahead?

With the Speaker’s decision due before the end of October, both the Congress and the BRS are bracing for legal manoeuvres and potential floor-test implications. The outcome could reshape party equations in Telangana barely a year into the Congress government’s tenure.