Defection Case: Danam Summoned By Speaker On Jan 30

Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar today issued notices to Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender in the defection cases filed by the BRS and BJP.

The notices directed Nagender to appear for a hearing on January 30.

Notices were also issued to BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy and BJP MLA Maheshwar Reddy, who had filed disqualification petitions against Danam Nagender. Both were instructed to appear for questioning on the same date.

Complaints were received against a total of 10 MLAs. However, the Speaker gave a clean chit to Arikapudi Gandhi, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, Bandla Krishna Mohan, Prakash Goud, Tellam Venkat Rao, Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Kale Yadiah, recognising them as BRS MLAs. An inquiry is yet to be conducted in the cases of Danam Nagender, Kadiyam Srihari and Dr Sanjay.

Nagender, while continuing as a BRS MLA, contested the 2024 general elections as a Congress MP candidate on a B-form, which is being cited as strong evidence of defection. In this backdrop, it remains to be seen what action the Speaker will take against him.

There are reports that Nagender is considering resigning as MLA and contesting a by-election before any action is initiated by the Speaker.

It's noteworthy that the Supreme Court had issued contempt notices to the Speaker on January 19 over the delay in deciding the disqualification petitions. The bench had warned the Speaker of strict action if no decision was taken, making the issuance of notices to Nagender significant.