A decision on the pending disqualification petition against BRS MLA Danam Nagender is likely to take some time as the Khairatabad legislator sought time to appear for the final hearing being conducted by a tribunal headed by Assembly Speaker G. Prasad Kumar.
Mr. Prasad Kumar, who on Thursday summoned Mr. Nagender and another MLA Kadiyam Srihari to hear the petitions filed against them for allegedly diverting royalties to the ruling party, reserved his decision after conducting a hearing against Mr. Srihari. The Speaker, acting as Chairman of the Tribunal constituted under Schedule X of the Anti-Defence Act, heard the version of the advocates appearing on behalf of Mr. Srihari.
The hearing follows a written explanation submitted by BRS legislator Padi Kaushik Reddy. Mr. Reddy attached a Supreme Court directive asking the Chief Justice to complete the hearing soon.
Mr. Prasad Kumar had earlier dismissed the petitions filed against eight other BRS MLAs who allegedly defected to the ruling Congress on the ground that the petitioners could not produce evidence to substantiate their allegations. But his verdict on Mr. Nagender and Mr. Srihari assumes significance as the former contested the Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket despite being a BRS legislator. The BRS leadership presented evidence of extensive campaigning by Mr. Srihari on behalf of his daughter Kadiyam Kavya, who successfully contested as a Congress candidate in the Warangal Lok Sabha.
In view of the “compelling” evidence presented to the Tribunal, the BRS management is looking to take legal action if the verdict is in favor of the “failed MLAs”.
Published – 05 March 2026 20:36 IST
