The political future of Gali Janardhan Reddy, MLA from Gangavathi, Karnataka, has come under immediate threat following a special CBI court’s verdict sentencing him to seven years in prison. This conviction effectively disqualifies him from holding his MLA seat and contesting future elections, as per Indian electoral law.
According to Section 8(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, any elected representative convicted and sentenced to a minimum of two years in prison stands disqualified from the moment of conviction. With a seven-year sentence handed down, Reddy’s disqualification is automatic and immediate.
This legal provision means Reddy not only loses his Gangavathi Assembly seat with immediate effect, but also becomes ineligible to contest elections for a total of 13 years—seven years of imprisonment plus six years after his release.
Advocate Rahul Machaiah said, “He stands disqualified immediately. The only way he can reverse it is if the High Court suspends the conviction after he files an appeal. If the conviction is not suspended, the disqualification continues. Merely filing an appeal is not enough. Janardhan Reddy must obtain a suspension of conviction from the appellate court to regain his MLA status. Until then, he cannot return to the Assembly and will be barred from contesting elections.”
Earlier, elected representatives had a cushion under Section 8(4) of the same Act, which allowed sitting lawmakers to retain their posts during the appeal process. However, that provision was struck down by the Supreme Court in the landmark Lily Thomas vs Union of India ruling in 2013, making disqualification immediate and unavoidable upon conviction.
Political Repercussions in Gangavathi
Janardhan Reddy had made a political comeback by forming the Kalyana Rajya Pragathi Paksha and winning the 2023 Assembly election from Gangavathi. His victory marked a return to mainstream politics after spending several years in jail due to earlier charges in the same case. In March 2024, he merged his outfit with the BJP, re-aligning with his former party.
Now, the Gangavathi constituency is poised for a political shake-up. With Reddy disqualified, a by-election will be required to fill the vacant seat. This opens the door for potential contenders from both BJP and the opposition, and the outcome could influence the balance of power in Karnataka’s regional politics.
What’s Next for Reddy?
Reddy’s legal team is expected to move the High Court seeking a stay or suspension of his conviction. However, unless the court grants a suspension specifically of the conviction (not just the sentence), his disqualification will stand. Filing an appeal alone is not enough to restore his eligibility or MLA status.
In the absence of judicial relief, Janardhan Reddy’s political career may be sidelined for the foreseeable future, with his Gangavathi seat up for grabs and his ability to contest elections blocked until at least 2037.