Hyderabad: The impending by-election in Khairatabad has run into legal challenges, with disqualified MLA Danam Nagender and Congress leader Vijaya Reddy separately approaching the Telangana High Court to stop it. The bypoll became inevitable after Nagender was disqualified as the constituency’s legislator.
Nagender’s counsel filed a lunch motion petition seeking a stay on the by-election. They argued that the petition concerning his election is still pending before the court, and that conducting a bypoll at this stage would be inappropriate. The High Court is scheduled to hear the plea this afternoon, and political circles are closely watching what orders it issues.
Vijaya Reddy, daughter of the late PJR, has petitioned the court to restrain the Election Commission of India from issuing a bypoll notification. She has argued that no by-election can be held until her election petition is finally decided. The Election Commission and Nagender have been named as respondents.
Her petition stems from a 2024 election petition challenging Nagender’s victory as a BRS candidate. She alleged that he failed to disclose the assets of his wife and other family members in his election affidavit, and sought to have his election annulled. That case is still under trial.
Vijaya Reddy entered politics after PJR’s death, while Nagender was earlier considered PJR’s protégé, but differences later emerged between them. She has been projecting herself as the Congress candidate, and reports suggest the party leadership may favour her owing to the PJR sentiment and her strong local hold. Nagender’s camp, however, maintains it remains in the ticket race, and he has claimed he will deliver a stunning answer in the bypoll.