HYDERABAD: BRS leader Jalagam Venkat Rao on Wednesday met the secretary to legislature V. Narasimha Charyulu and chief electoral officer Vikas Raj and submitted a copy of Tuesday’s High Court order, which disqualified Vanama Venkateshwar Rao as Kothagudem MLA and declared him (Jalagam) as the legislator.
Venkat Rao urged both officials to recognise him as MLA as per HC orders. They assured to look into the matter after going through the judgement copy, although no timeframe has been given for the same.
Speaking to Deccan Chronicle later, Venkat Rao said, "I hope to get appointed as MLA in a day or two as the High Court has given clear instructions in this regard. The two officials said that they would go through the judgement copy and take an early decision. I am hopeful of a positive response from them."
On Venkateshwar Rao making moves to approach the Supreme Court against his disqualification, Venkat Rao said, "As far as I know, he has exhausted
all options in the High Court. He may move the Supreme Court but none can stop my appointment until and unless the apex court issues stay orders."
Meanwhile, he expressed confidence that party president and Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will give him another opportunity to contest from Kothagudem constituency in the upcoming Assembly elections.
"I know, the present Assembly's term will end in another three to four months. I am confident of getting the BRS ticket and I will return to the Assembly with a good majority," Venkat Rao said.
He represented Kothagudem from 2014 to 2018 but lost to Congress candidate Venkateshwar Rao by 4,000 votes in 2018. Subsequently, Venkateshwar Rao defected to BRS in 2019. Venkat Rao filed a petition in the High Court alleging that Venkateshwar Rao had submitted wrong details in his election affidavit and sought his disqualification. The High Court ruled in his favour on Tuesday and declared Venkat Rao as elected from Kothagudem Assembly segment with effect from December 12, 2018.
