SC Stays MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao's Disqualification

BRS MLA Vanama Venkateswara Rao, who was disqualified from the State Assembly by the Telangana High Court recently, received much-needed relief in the Supreme Court.

The apex court stayed the orders of the Telangana HC in the issue.

It also issued notices to the respondents in the case and asked them to file counters within 15 days.

The SC later adjourned the hearing of the case by four weeks.

The State High Court had delivered its verdict on July 25 cancelling the election of Vanama as the MLA for the Kothagudem Assembly constituency.

It also imposed a fine of Rs 5 lakh on him for filing a false affidavit before the Election Commission, and asked him to also pay the election expenses to his political rival from the constituency Jalagam Venkat Rao, who was the HC announced as the winner from the constituency after the disqualification of Vanama.

Vanama, who won the Kothagudem Assembly constituency in December 2018 as the Congress candidate, later joined the ruling BRS.

With the next elections to the Assembly just four months away now, and given the pace at which the judiciary operates, it appears like Vanama is now assured of completing his term.