The controversy centres on 10 BRS MLAs who switched allegiance after Congress won the 2023 Assembly elections with 64 seats against BRS’s 39.
Published Sep 13, 2025 | 11:12 AM ⚊ Updated Sep 13, 2025 | 11:12 AM
Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president B Mahesh Kumar Goud. (X)
Synopsis: Amid the legal wrangle, TPCC chief Goud has defended the defectors as acting voluntarily to shield the government. His narrative, however, clashes with their undertakings before the Speaker, fuelling charges of hypocrisy. BRS leaders argue that Congress is guilty of the same “MLA chori” it once condemned during BRS’s rule from 2014 to 2023, when it absorbed defectors from other parties with little consequence.
The Telangana Congress is facing criticism for its apparent contradictions in handling 10 defected MLAs from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS).
On one hand, a few of the 10 defectors have reportedly filed their responses to Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar that they were with the BRS. While, on the other hand, PCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud has openly admitted that the MLAs joined Congress — but claimed it was for a “good cause,” to thwart alleged attempts by BRS and BJP to topple the Revanth Reddy government.
Mahesh Kumar Goud made the comment on Friday, 12 September, when asked to respond to BRS working president KT Rama Rao.
KTR had lashed out at Congress for “poaching” BRS MLAs, even accusing Rahul Gandhi of allowing the defections.
“KTR has no right to talk about MLA chori (theft),” Goud shot back. “It happened when BRS was in power. This is different. These MLAs joined Congress only because of the threat by BRS and BJP to destabilise the elected government. They came to protect it.”
With this admission, the situation has become complicated. The 10 MLAs are attempting to distance themselves from Congress to avoid disqualification, but Goud’s statement openly links them to the ruling party.
The controversy centres on 10 BRS MLAs who switched allegiance after Congress won the 2023 Assembly elections with 64 seats against BRS’s 39.
The defectors were: Danam Nagender (Khairatabad), Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), M. Sanjay Kumar (Jagtial), Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), T. Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), B. Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), G. Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Kale Yadaiah (Chevella).
These leaders publicly associated with the Congress in early 2024, strengthening its majority in the Assembly. Yet, in a twist, they have also submitted statements to the Speaker claiming they remain with BRS. Gadwal MLA B. Krishna Mohan Reddy, for example, admitted: “I am still with BRS technically,” while adding he would follow legal directives. Others have kept silent and skipped Congress events, wary of direct court action.
The Speaker issued notices to the 10 MLAs on 23 August, 2025, after the Supreme Court directed him on 31 July to decide disqualification petitions within three months to which only a few have so far responded. The others are expected to follow suit. The apex court had criticised delay, warning that such cases weaken democracy.
The BRS had filed petitions in March–April 2024, accusing the MLAs of betraying the party mandate.
Amid this legal wrangle, TPCC chief Goud has defended the defectors as acting voluntarily to shield the government. His narrative, however, clashes with their undertakings before the Speaker, fuelling charges of hypocrisy. BRS leaders argue that Congress is guilty of the same “MLA chori” it once condemned during BRS’s rule from 2014 to 2023, when it absorbed defectors from other parties with little consequence.
The Supreme Court’s involvement has once again brought the anti-defection law into the spotlight. Since the defectors represent fewer than two-thirds of BRS’s strength, a merger defence is legally untenable.
Though the defections have boosted Congress’s numbers, disqualification could force by-elections, potentially altering Assembly dynamics. The BRS, still reeling from electoral losses, has vowed to fight the case vigorously. Congress, meanwhile, insists the defections reflect genuine support for its governance.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
