No More Delays: SC Mandates Status Report from Telangana Speaker on BRS MLA Pleas

In a significant development in the ongoing political defection controversy rocking Telangana, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the state's Legislative Assembly Speaker, Gaddam Prasad Kumar, to file a status report within two weeks detailing the progress on adjudication of disqualification petitions against former Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs. The bench, comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and AG Masih, made it clear that this is the final opportunity, warning of consequences if the directive is not followed. The order came during a hearing on compliance with the court's earlier July 2025 ruling, which had set a three-month timeline for deciding the pleas.

The case revolves around 10 MLAs who won the 2023 Assembly elections on BRS tickets but were accused of switching allegiance to the ruling Congress party. Petitions seeking their disqualification under the anti-defection law (Tenth Schedule of the Constitution) were filed by BRS leaders. The Supreme Court had previously expressed concern over delays in such proceedings, emphasizing the need for timely action to curb political defections. After the initial deadline lapsed, contempt petitions were filed, prompting repeated warnings to the Speaker.

Recently, the Speaker has taken steps to resolve several petitions. In December 2025, five disqualification pleas were dismissed, followed by two more on January 15, 2026, involving Chevella MLA Kale Yadaiah and Banswada MLA Pocharam Srinivas Reddy. The Speaker cited lack of sufficient evidence of defection and continued party contributions as key reasons for upholding their BRS membership. This brings the total number of cleared MLAs to seven. However, three petitions — concerning Kadiyam Srihari, Danam Nagendar, and Dr M Sanjay Kumar — remain pending, forming the core of the Supreme Court's current scrutiny.

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The apex court's latest intervention highlights the judiciary's impatience with prolonged anti-defection proceedings, which often influence political stability in states. BRS has repeatedly accused the Speaker of inaction, while the Congress government maintains that the defections did not threaten the administration's majority. The status report is now eagerly awaited, as it could shape the final outcome of this high-stakes battle and set precedents for handling similar cases nationwide. The matter is scheduled for further hearing after the two-week period.

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