Election cases give jitters to BRS MLAs

The biggest fear for the BRS MLAs these days is not political rivals like the Congress or the BJP. It is the fear of the courts disqualifying them and setting their election aside that is tormenting them. With elections fast approaching, the courts have gotten hyper active and are expediting cases pertaining to election irregularities.

If they lose these cases, they may be disqualified and would not be in a position to contest the 2023 elections. This will upset their whole political plans. And there are 28 such MLAs, whose cases are pending in various courts. They include, deputy speaker Padma Rao, ministers Koppula Eshwar, Gangula Kamalakar, MP Ranjit Reddy and Government whip Gongidi Sunitha. In fact, there is a case pending against CM KCR too.

Alarm bells are ringing in the BRS ever since Kothagudem MLA Vanama Venkateshwarlu's election was set aside by the court. Recently, the court has also set aside a petition of Koppula Eswar against the court proceeding in the case against him. If the verdict goes against him, he too could be disqualified. Similarly, minister Srinivas Goud too is in a spot of bother.

In most cases, the courts have speeded up the hearing on these cases and in most cases, the verdict could be out before the announcement of elections. All those MLAs, who lose their cases, may also be barred from contesting the elections this time. This only means that KCR may have to look for new candidates. As a result, the BRS leaders are spending sleepless nights.