Hyderabad witnessed a significant political development as Station Ghanpur MLA Kadiyam Srihari firmly rejected allegations of defecting to the Congress party. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) had sought his disqualification based on these claims. Srihari presented his defence in an affidavit to Telangana Legislative Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar on Wednesday.
MLA's Strong Rebuttal to Defection Claims
In his official submission, Srihari outrightly dismissed the accusation that he had joined the Congress. He stated that the claim was "incorrect and purely based on media reports," emphasizing that there was no truth to it. The MLA argued strongly that media reports cannot serve as a valid basis to unseat an elected member of the legislative assembly. He highlighted the lack of any direct communication from the BRS leadership regarding the issue, noting that neither the party nor the petitioner, BRS MLA KP Vivekananda, had contacted him to verify the facts behind the media stories.
Evidence of Continued BRS Membership
To bolster his case, Srihari presented a crucial piece of evidence. He pointed out that the BRS continues to accept his monthly contribution of Rs 5,000 towards legislative party expenses. According to him, this action clearly indicates that the party itself still considers him a member. He further added that the BRS has not issued him any formal notice nor initiated any disciplinary proceedings against him, which would be the standard course of action if he had truly switched allegiances.
Timing and Legal Grounds Challenged
Srihari also denied reports that he met with the Congress party's in-charge in March 2024. He drew attention to the timing of the disqualification petition, which was filed before the speaker within just three days of the alleged meeting. The MLA termed the entire petition as legally untenable and unsustainable. His argument centered on the fact that the petition was not supported by an affidavit from the party itself and relied solely on unverified media reports, which he contends is insufficient grounds for disqualification under the law.
The political drama now moves to the next stage. Speaker G Prasad Kumar has directed the petitioner, KP Vivekananda, to respond to Srihari's affidavit by December 19. This case highlights the ongoing tensions within Telangana's political landscape and sets a precedent on how media reports are treated in defection proceedings. The speaker's eventual ruling will be closely watched, as it could influence future political strategies and the interpretation of anti-defection laws in the state.
