In a significant legal development, Telangana MLA Danam Nagender has approached the Supreme Court to contest his disqualification under the anti-defection law. This move follows a recent decision by the Telangana High Court that ruled against Nagender, leading to his exclusion from the legislative assembly.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi represented Nagender, presenting the case before a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana. Rohatgi emphasized the urgency of the matter, stating, “The High Court disqualified an MLA not at the behest of his party but due to a motion by another individual claiming his loss of political membership.” He urged the court for an expedited hearing, highlighting concerns of potential by-election notifications following the High Court’s decision.
The legal contention centers around the Tenth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, which addresses anti-defection laws. Previously, the Speaker of the Telangana Assembly had dismissed the disqualification plea against Nagender, a decision that was later overturned by the High Court.
In response to Rohatgi’s submissions, CJI Surya Kant assured that the case would be scheduled for hearing on Wednesday, September 23.
Nagender’s political journey has been marked by significant shifts. Initially elected to the Telangana Assembly from Khairatabad as a member of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), he later transitioned to the Congress party. His decision to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Secunderabad on a Congress ticket led to political friction.
Challenging Nagender’s political alignment, BJP leader Alleti Maheshwar Reddy and BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy filed petitions in the Telangana High Court seeking his disqualification. Their argument was rooted in the anti-defection law, challenging the Speaker’s earlier refusal to disqualify Nagender.
The Supreme Court, in July 2025, had mandated the Telangana Assembly Speaker to resolve the disqualification petitions against Nagender and two other MLAs within a three-month period. After the Speaker dismissed the disqualification plea, the matter was again taken to the High Court, resulting in Nagender’s disqualification on September 18.
The High Court’s ruling also declared the Khairatabad seat vacant, necessitating fresh elections for the constituency. This decision has significant implications for the political landscape in Telangana.
