Telangana’s political arena witnessed a crucial reprieve for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) as Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar turned down two high-profile petitions to disqualify party MLAs P Kaushik Reddy and G Mahipal Reddy. The verdict, delivered after exhaustive deliberations, has ignited fresh debates on defection norms and political allegiance.
The controversy erupted when Congress MLAs lodged complaints alleging that the duo had betrayed BRS by campaigning for Congress candidates during the recent parliamentary elections. Videos and public statements of their support fueled the fire, leading to formal notices under anti-defection provisions. BRS defended its members, arguing that personal opinions expressed outside party lines do not merit disqualification.
In his comprehensive 25-page order, the Speaker meticulously analyzed the evidence, constitutional provisions, and precedents. He concluded that there was no proof of ‘voluntarily giving up membership’ or voting against party whips in the house. ‘Mere public endorsements do not cross the threshold of defection,’ Prasad observed, effectively shielding the MLAs from immediate ouster.
BRS chief K Chandrashekar Rao’s party celebrated the outcome, terming it a slap on Congress’s ‘horse-trading tactics.’ Congress, however, slammed the ruling as biased, with TPCC chief A Revanth Reddy hinting at judicial recourse. This comes on the heels of the Speaker’s earlier rejection of a similar plea, establishing a pattern that bolsters opposition resilience.
As Telangana gears up for more electoral battles, this decision spotlights the evolving interpretation of the anti-defection law. It raises questions about how far elected representatives can stray from party lines without consequences. For the Speaker, it’s a testament to impartial adjudication amid polarized politics, potentially setting precedents for nationwide cases.
