BRS submits response to Speaker over disqualification petitions against ''turncoat'' MLAs
Hyderabad (PTI): The BRS has submitted its response to the notices sent by Telangana Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar over the disqualification petitions against its MLAs who allegedly shifted loyalties to the ruling Congress.
The Speaker had earlier asked for the replies of the 'turncoat MLAs' on the disqualification petitions filed against them by BRS, senior party leader and MLA G Jagadish Reddy told reporters on Monday.
After the 'defector MLAs' furnished their replies, the Speaker has sought response from BRS and gave three days time to respond, he said.
The Speaker sought response in respect of eight turncoat MLAs, while BRS on Monday responded with regards to six legislators.
The reply in regard to the two other MLAs would be submitted later, Jagadish Reddy said.
Though 'turncoat MLAs' informed the Speaker that they have not quit BRS, the K Chandrasekhar Rao-led party has presented proof of such MLAs shifting loyalty to the Congress, he further said.
Jagadish Reddy hoped that the Speaker would take decision on the disqualification petitions as per law.
Otherwise, BRS would continue its fight for the disqualification of the 'defected MLAs' in court, he said.
He also hoped that the MLAs, who allegedly switched over to Congress, would be disqualified.
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on July 31 directed the speaker to decide in three months, the disqualification pleas against 10 BRS MLAs who switched allegiance to the ruling Congress, saying political defections have the power to disrupt democracy if not curbed.
Speaker Prasad Kumar had earlier said he will consult legal experts after receiving the SC order copy on the issue of disqualification of BRS MLAs and take future course of action.
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Trump rushed out of dinner event after shots fired; one arrested
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump and other top White House officials were evacuated unharmed from the annual dinner of White House correspondents after a man armed with multiple weapons fired shots outside the ballroom of the hotel.
The incident took place at around 8:34 PM local time when dinner was served. At that time, Trump was seen having a conversation with Weijia Jiang, the President of the White House Correspondents' Association, and mentalist Oz Pearlman, who was scheduled to present a show at the marquee event at the Washington Hilton here.
Secret Service officials and other security personnel covered the President, First Lady Melania Trump, Vice President J D Vance, and the Second Lady Usha Vance, who were seated at the head table, and escorted them out of the ballroom.
Several guests at the dinner, including leaders across the political spectrum, journalists and other invitees, ducked under the table, apparently as a reflex reaction.
Putting up a brave face, President Trump later announced on Truth Social that the dinner would be rescheduled within 30 days.
“Boom, boom, boom, boom is all that I heard, and many guests ducked under the table,” a C-SPAN reporter at the dinner said.
Hours later, Trump addressed a press conference at the White House and announced that the security personnel had captured one person who hails from California.
“I heard a noise and sort of thought it was a tray going down. I've heard that many times. It was a pretty loud noise, and it was from quite far away. He (the attacker) hadn't reached the area at all. They really got him,” Trump told reporters, recalling the incident.
Trump said one security officer was shot at but saved as he was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Several protestors had lined up on the road outside the hotel, raising slogans against the Trump administration and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
A CNN reporter who was outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton said he saw a gunman opening fire just a few feet away. He was among the dozens of attendees who took cover as law enforcement swarmed the venue.
The suspect has been identified as 31-year-old Cole Tomas Allen from California.
Asked how Saturday’s incident impacts him as the US president, Trump told reporters he is in a dangerous job but that he is no “basket case.”
“I like not to think about it. I lead a pretty normal life, considering, you know, it’s a dangerous life. I think I handle it as well as it can be handled,” Trump said.
Trump has survived two assassination attempts over the past two years – first at a presidential election campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024, and later in Palm Beach, Florida, on September 15, 2024.
“I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives...everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd,” he said.
“We had some great work done by law enforcement, but in light of this evening's events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our differences peacefully,” Trump said.
