Hyderabad, Sep 21 (IANS): The Hyderabad High Court on Wednesday directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker to dispose off within 90 days petitions seeking disqualification of rebel legislators of TDP, who switched loyalties to the ruling TRS.

Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao passed the interim order on a petition filed by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader A. Revanth Reddy, challenging the Speaker's action in merging TDP with Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) while keeping the petitions seeking disqualification of rebel MLAs waiting for action.

In March, Speaker S. Madhusudhanachary had merged the group of 12 rebel MLAs of TDP with the ruling party.

B. Ravishankar, the counsel for Revanth Reddy, told reporters that the judge asked the Speaker to dispose off the petitions in three months' time. They challenged the Speaker's move on the ground that he has not taken any decision on petitions seeking disqualification of the rebel MLAs, he added.

The counsel also argued that only the Election Commission of India has the power to take a decision on merging one party with the other.

Welcoming the court order, TDP legislator Revanth Reddy said at least now the Speaker should take action on their petitions.