The Supreme Court of India directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker to decide within three months on disqualification petitions against 10 Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs who defected to the ruling Congress party.

The ruling, delivered by a bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai, emphasized the threat political defections pose to democracy, noting their potential to destabilize governance if not addressed promptly. The court was responding to an appeal by BRS leader Padi Kaushik Reddy, who sought swift action on the disqualification pleas.

The bench overturned a November 22, 2024, Telangana High Court decision that had interfered with a single judge’s prior order, reinforcing the Speaker’s role in resolving such matters efficiently. Chief Justice Gavai cited historical parliamentary debates, including speeches by Rajesh Pilot and Devendra Nath Munshi, to underline that entrusting disqualification proceedings to the Speaker was intended to avoid judicial delays. The court cautioned the Speaker against allowing the MLAs to prolong proceedings and instructed drawing adverse inferences if delays occur.

The Supreme Court clarified that the Speaker, acting as a tribunal in defection cases, does not enjoy constitutional immunity, underscoring the need for accountability. The verdict, reserved on April 3, 2025, awaits a detailed judgment. This ruling intensifies scrutiny on political defections in Telangana, highlighting ongoing tensions between the BRS and Congress as the state navigates its political landscape ahead of future elections.

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