BJP slams Speaker’s verdict on defection case, calls it ‘insult to democracy’

Telangana BJP President N Ramchander Rao on Wednesday strongly criticised the verdict delivered by State Legislative Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on the disqualification petitions related to alleged defections, stating that the decision was contrary to the spirit of democracy.

Reacting to the Speaker’s ruling, Ramchander Rao told the media that the verdict was surprising despite what he described as clear evidence of a legislator elected on one party ticket switching to another party within six months and contesting the Lok Sabha elections as that party’s candidate.

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He said the entire public had witnessed the events and declared that such actions, which he said did not amount to defection, were nothing but an insult to democracy and a disregard for the mandate given by the people.

The BJP leader also questioned the stand of Rahul Gandhi on the issue. He noted that the Anti-Defection Law was introduced during the tenure of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi through a constitutional amendment, but alleged that the law was now being violated.
“If the Constitution is being violated so openly, how can such a verdict be justified by a Speaker functioning under a government led by your party?” he asked, referring to the Indian National Congress government in the state.
Ramchander Rao said the verdict not only insulted democracy but also appeared to undermine the Constitution and the mandate of the people. He added that the Bharatiya Janata Party strongly objected to the Speaker’s decision.