Hyderabad, Sep 28: Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar will begin hearings on four disqualification petitions filed by the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) against defected MLAs, starting Monday. The trial will be conducted under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution.
According to the schedule released by Legislature Secretary V. Narasimha Charyulu, the hearings will take place on September 29 and October 1. The Speaker will oversee cross-examinations between counsels of the petitioners and the four MLAs—T. Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), Kale Yadaiah (Chevella), Gudem Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy (Jogulamba Gadwal).
On September 29, BRS MLA Kalvakuntla Sanjay will be cross-examined by Goud’s counsel, Chinta Prabhakar by Yadaiah’s and Mahipal Reddy’s counsels, and Palla Rajeshwar Reddy by Krishna Mohan Reddy’s counsel. On October 1, the roles will be reversed, with the four MLAs cross-examined by counsels of the petitioners. Hearings will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days.
The BRS had approached the Supreme Court earlier this year over delays in deciding on the disqualification of 10 party MLAs who switched to the ruling Congress after the November 2023 elections. On July 31, the apex court directed the Speaker to take a decision within three months. This marks the first-ever hearing on disqualification petitions in Telangana Assembly history.
Meanwhile, security restrictions have been imposed at the Assembly premises from September 29 to October 6. Visitors will need valid permission to enter, while media personnel are barred from the building. Former MLAs, MLCs, and MPs are also restricted, with entry allowed only to current legislators up to their party offices. Mobile phones are prohibited during proceedings, and violations may lead to confiscation and suspension of advocates from hearings.
