Reacting to the Speaker’s decision to dismiss petitions seeking the disqualification of two BRS MLAs who allegedly defected to the Congress, Rama Rao said the Congress leadership was “shamelessly” defending defections and weakening democratic institutions.
Sharp criticism of the Speaker’s decision
Rama Rao’s remarks came after Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar rejected the BRS petitions against MLAs Kale Yadaiah and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy. The Speaker observed that there was no evidence to establish that the legislators had formally defected to the Congress.
The BRS leader said the ruling amounted to an insult to the Legislative Assembly, arguing that the available material clearly pointed to defection. He alleged that political pressure had been exerted on the Speaker’s office to shield the defecting MLAs from action.
Allegations of constitutional disregard
In a post on social media platform X, Rama Rao accused the Congress of corrupting constitutional offices to avoid accountability. He said similar decisions in the past, including the dismissal of petitions against five other MLAs, showed a pattern of disregard for constitutional norms.
Rama Rao further claimed that the Congress was acting out of fear of by-elections, particularly in the wake of its defeat in recent panchayat elections. He alleged that the ruling party was unwilling to face the electorate again in the constituencies represented by the defecting MLAs.
Public verdict and political fallout
Stating that public opinion had already turned against the defectors, Rama Rao said the BRS would continue its political and legal fight. He asserted that attempts to protect the MLAs would not erase what he described as a clear rejection by voters.
The Speaker’s order on Thursday marks the dismissal of petitions against seven of the 10 BRS MLAs who allegedly crossed over to the Congress. Last month, petitions against five MLAs were rejected.
Hearings have been completed in the cases of eight MLAs, with orders reserved earlier. The Speaker is yet to pronounce a decision in one case, while proceedings against two more MLAs are still pending.
