HC Notice To Speaker, Nagender In Defection Case

The Telangana High Court today issued notices to the Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and Khairatabad MLA Danam Nagender in connection with Nagender's "defection" to the Congress.

The court was hearing a petition filed by BJP Legislative Party leader Aleti Maheshwar Reddy, who challenged the Speaker's ruling on Nagender's widely alleged party switch.

According to the petitioner, Nagender was elected as an MLA on a BRS ticket but later contested the Lok Sabha election as a Congress candidate. The petitioner urged the court to disqualify him from the date that he filed his nomination under a different party, citing relevant judgements of the Supreme Court of India in similar cases.

Advocate General Sudarshan Reddy, appearing for the Speaker, referred to recent Supreme Court rulings on defection. After hearing both sides, the High Court directed the Speaker and Nagender to file counter-affidavits.

The case has been adjourned to April 16, and the outcome is expected to have implications under the Anti-Defection Law.