The issue of 10 defecting MLAs in Telangana is back in the spotlight. These MLAs moved to the Congress after the Assembly elections, where Congress came to power. The BRS approached the Supreme Court, demanding their disqualification.
In response, the Supreme Court directed Telangana Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar to decide on the matter within three months. Acting on this, the Speaker issued notices to all 10 MLAs.
The deadline for submitting their explanations ends on Tuesday. However, except for a couple of them, most MLAs have yet to respond.
Meanwhile, the defecting MLAs meeting Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has stirred political discussion. Barring Kadiyam Srihari, nine of the ten MLAs met the CM at his residence. Deputy CM Bhatti and IT Minister Sridhar Babu also attended the meeting.
They reportedly discussed the Speaker’s notices and the possibility of resigning. While a few MLAs seemed ready to resign and face bypolls, most appeared hesitant, according to party sources.
The nine MLAs who met the CM include Pocharam Srinivasa Reddy, Danam Nagender, Kale Yadaiah, Prakash Goud, Krishna Mohan Reddy, Mahipal Reddy, Dr Sanjay Kumar, Tellam Venkatarao, and Arikapudi Gandhi.
These MLAs told the CM they joined the Congress to support development. Among them, Danam Nagender, who contested the Khairatabad MP seat after switching from BRS to Congress, is keen on contesting again. He is reportedly eyeing the Jubilee Hills Assembly seat.
Sources say Danam is confident of winning both the Jubilee Hills and Khairatabad bypolls. Meanwhile, BRS continues to claim that by-elections are around the corner, adding weight to the recent developments.
However, some MLAs insist they are still with BRS and have not officially switched parties. They are likely to state this to the Speaker. Gadwal MLA Krishna Mohan Reddy has publicly confirmed his loyalty to BRS.
For now, the political drama remains intense in Telangana.
