Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar dismissed a petition for the disqualification of BRS MLA Sanjay Kumar, who was accused of switching allegiance to the ruling Congress party. The Speaker’s decision was based on the lack of evidence provided by the petitioner, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Jagadish Reddy, regarding Sanjay Kumar’s alleged defection. As a result, the Anti-Defection Act could not be applied in this case.
This ruling marks the dismissal of petitions seeking the disqualification of eight out of 10 BRS MLAs who were claimed to have shifted their loyalties to the Congress party in 2024. The Speaker had previously rejected similar disqualification petitions against five MLAs in December 2025 and two more in January 2026.
Hours before a scheduled hearing on another disqualification petition involving MLA Kadiyam Srihari, the Speaker addressed the petition concerning Sanjay Kumar. The Speaker has also summoned Kadiyam Srihari and petitioner K.P. Vivekanand to present evidence in the ongoing proceedings.
Amidst these developments, the Speaker had to adjourn a hearing on a disqualification petition against MLA Danam Nagender to February 18, following a request for more time by BJP floor leader A. Maheshwar Reddy, one of the petitioners. This delay was sought to allow for additional time to present arguments, particularly after a recent directive from the Supreme Court urging a prompt decision on the remaining disqualification petitions.
The BRS had alleged that the 10 MLAs had openly aligned with the Congress party, even sitting with the ruling party in the Assembly. However, the MLAs refuted these claims, stating that their interactions with Chief Minister Revanth Reddy were solely aimed at securing funds for the development of their respective constituencies.
