The Supreme Court made strong remarks against the Telangana Speaker for delaying decisions on the disqualification petitions of the defected BRS MLAs. The court warned that he must decide the cases next week or face contempt.
The judges also said he has no constitutional immunity in such matters.
The Speaker now faces pressure as ten BRS MLAs joined Congress. If all ten lose their seats, by-elections must be held. The question is whether the Revanth Reddy government is ready for that challenge, even after winning Jubilee Hills.
A strong fight from BRS in these seats can send the wrong message. This is why the Speaker is likely to limit the number of disqualifications. But Danam Nagender's exit appears certain.
There is strong buzz that Danam will submit his resignation before the Speaker acts. Leaders say he contested the Lok Sabha election using a Congress B-Form, which clearly proves defection, and resignation is the only clean exit route for him.
Senior leaders confirm that Danam's resignation is unavoidable, though the timing is unclear. With Panchayat elections approaching, many expect him to resign only afterward. Congress is also discussing whether he can step down as MLA and later enter the Legislative Council.
If that happens, only one by-election will occur. The Speaker may then say there is no concrete evidence against the remaining nine MLAs. This keeps the legal fight alive and pushes the by-elections further down the line.