In a major political development in Telangana, AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal has officially nominated rebel MLA Dhanam Nagender as the star campaigner for the upcoming Jubilee Hills by-election, issuing a formal note to the Election Commission. Dhanam Nagender, originally elected as Khairatabad MLA on a BRS ticket, later defected to the Congress and also contested as a Congress candidate from Secunderabad parliamentary constituency.
The Supreme Court had directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker in July 2025 to resolve disqualification petitions against ten MLAs who switched from BRS to Congress within three months, setting a deadline of October 31. Following this, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar issued notices to the rebel MLAs seeking explanations. However, Nagender has yet to respond. While KC Venugopal in Delhi is aware of Nagender’s affiliation with Congress, BRS supporters have criticized the Hyderabad-based Speaker on social media for appearing unaware of the situation.
ఫిరాయింపు ఎమ్మెల్యే దానం నాగేందర్ ఏఐసీసీ స్టార్ కాంపెయినర్ బన్ గయా.!
పార్టీ ఫిరాయింపు ఎమ్మెల్యే దానం నాగేందర్ ను జూబ్లీహిల్స్ ఉప ఎన్నికల్లో స్టార్ కాంపెయినర్ గా నియమిస్తూ ఎన్నికల అధికారికి అఫీషియల్ నోట్ ను పంపిన ఏఐసీసీ జనరల్ సెక్రటరీ కేసీ వేణుగోపాల్..
బీఆర్ఎస్ పార్టీ నుండి… pic.twitter.com/L1rxH4zCcl
— Telugu Reporter (@TeluguReporter_) October 20, 2025
Sources indicate that the Congress is considering asking Nagender to resign his MLA seat and contest again, viewing resignation as a preferable alternative to disqualification.
By-elections are inevitable regardless of whether the MLAs face disqualification or choose to resign. With the Supreme Court-mandated October 31 deadline approaching, the Speaker’s decision on the rebel MLAs is expected to have a significant impact on Telangana’s political dynamics.