Published Jan 29, 2026 | 12:26 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 29, 2026 | 12:26 PM
Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. (Wikimedia Commons)
Synopsis: Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar issued the notice to the MLA after prolonged delays in the proceedings. The petitions accused Nagender — elected on a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ticket — of voluntarily relinquishing his party membership after aligning with the ruling Congress.
Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar has summoned Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender for a personal hearing on Friday, 30 January, in connection with the disqualification petitions against him filed under the anti-defection law.
Kumar issued the notice to the MLA after prolonged delays in the proceedings. The petitions accused Nagender — elected on a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) ticket — of voluntarily relinquishing his party membership after aligning with the ruling Congress.
In its petition, the BRS contended that Nagender had violated the anti-defection law by attending Congress meetings, publicly endorsing the ruling party, and eventually contesting the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket, while continuing as a BRS MLA.
Besides Nagender, notices were also issued to petitioners BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy and BJP leader Maheshwar Reddy. Both petitioners, who filed separate petitions, have been directed to be present during the 30 January hearing.
During the hearing, the Speaker is expected to record statements from the petitioners and hear arguments from all sides before examining the merits of the disqualification petitions.
The case is part of a batch of disqualification pleas involving 10 BRS MLAs, who crossed over to the Congress after the December 2023 Assembly elections.
Earlier, the Speaker dismissed similar petitions against seven MLAs, citing the absence of conclusive evidence such as a formal resignation from the BRS or disciplinary action by the party.
The remaining cases — including those involving Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari, and Sanjay Kumar — have come under sharp focus, especially in light of Supreme Court directions stressing the need for time-bound decisions in anti-defection matters.
A verdict on the pending petitions is expected soon after the hearing. The outcome could determine whether by-elections are necessary in Khairatabad and other constituencies.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
