The Supreme Court of India, on January 16, 2026, delivered a stern directive to the Telangana Assembly Speaker, Gaddam Prasad Kumar, granting a final two-week period to adjudicate the remaining disqualification petitions against Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) who defected from the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the Indian National Congress. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and A.G. Masih issued this 'last opportunity' warning, emphasizing that further delays could lead to serious consequences. This ruling follows a history of non-compliance by the Speaker. The Supreme Court had initially set a three-month deadline on July 31, 2025, for deciding these petitions. When the deadline was not met, the apex court issued a contempt notice to the Speaker on November 17, 2025. Out of the original ten defection petitions, seven have reportedly been dismissed, one has been reserved for judgment, and only three remain pending. Senior advocates representing the Speaker had requested additional time, citing reasons such as the Speaker's recent eye surgery and administrative changes in the Assembly Secretariat. However, the Supreme Court remained firm, directing the Speaker to submit an affidavit within the stipulated two weeks, detailing the progress and decisions made. The court reiterated that the Speaker, while deciding on disqualification pleas under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, functions as a tribunal and does not enjoy constitutional immunity. This ongoing legal battle highlights the judiciary's role in upholding the anti-defection law and ensuring accountability in state politics.