The MLAs who defected to the Congress after winning on the BRS election symbol will face a direct hearing before Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar from Monday. Assembly Secretary Narasimhacharyulu stated that the disqualification petitions will be heard under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. The schedule to this effect was released on Sunday.
Four MLAs will face the hearing on the first day. The Speaker’s Office has sent notices to Rajendranagar MLA Prakash Goud, Chevella MLA Kale Yadayya, Pathancheru MLA Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and Gadwal MLA Bandla Krishnamohan Reddy to appear for the direct hearing. They will appear for the hearing along with their lawyers.
BRS MLAs Kalvakuntla Sanjay, Palla Rajeshwar Reddy, and Chinta Prabhakar, who filed a complaint against them, will also appear before the tribunal. The Assembly Secretary stated that some restrictions have been imposed in the wake of the ongoing direct hearing in the premises of the Legislative Assembly buildings.
The Telangana Assembly issued a notice barring the entry of media personnel from the legislature buildings. Restrictions will be in force till October 6. Petitioners, respondents and their lawyers appearing before the tribunal have been given clear instructions not to bring mobile phones into the courtroom.
They said that even if the proceedings are recorded or photographs are taken, the phones will be confiscated. Visitors will not be allowed into the premises of the Legislative Assembly buildings without prior permission. Media personnel are not allowed into the premises of the Legislative Assembly buildings.
They have also banned press briefings within the premises and barred visitors without prior permissions. Ex-MLC, Ex-MLA and Ex-MPs are also not permitted while current MLCs and MLAs have been permitted up to their respective legislature party offices only.
Complainants and petitioners should not give press briefings either at the media points or in the premises of the Legislative Assembly buildings. MLCs and MLAs will be allowed only up to their legislative party offices.
The 10 MLAs that the BRS has accused of switching loyalties include Danam Nagender (Khairatabad constituency), Tellam Venkat Rao (Bhadrachalam), Kadiyam Srihari (Station Ghanpur), Pocharam Srinivas Reddy (Banswada), M Sanjay Kumar (Jagtial), Arekapudi Gandhi (Serilingampally), T Prakash Goud (Rajendranagar), B Krishna Mohan Reddy (Gadwal), G Mahipal Reddy (Patancheru), and Kale Yadaiah (Chevella).
The BRS had approached the Supreme Court asking seeking directions to the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly to decide expeditiously the disqualification petitions. Following which the top court on July 31, ordered the Speaker to decide on the disqualification within three months.