In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India has directed the Telangana Assembly Speaker to decide within three months on the disqualification of 10 BRS MLAs who defected to the Congress party.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice AG Masih issued the order, expressing concern over procedural delays and criticising the Speaker for issuing notices to the concerned parties seven months after the Court’s prompt.
The 10 MLAs had reportedly switched allegiance from Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) to the Indian National Congress, prompting disqualification petitions under the anti-defection law.
The Court highlighted that defection-related issues are a matter of serious national concern, as unchecked political defection could undermine democratic institutions.
The Court referenced parliamentary speeches by leaders such as Rajesh Pilot and Devendranath Munshi, noting that lawmakers assigned the disqualification decision to the Speaker to avoid burdening the judiciary and to ensure swift resolution.
Judicial Rebuke on Delayed Proceedings
The Supreme Court made clear that it would not tolerate deliberate delays in such cases.
The Court warned that it would view any such procrastination as an obstruction of the judicial process.
The Court reiterated that authorities must address matters under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which governs anti-defection provisions, urgently to uphold democratic integrity.
During the proceedings, CJI Gavai criticised certain public remarks made by political figures, saying that such statements undermined the sanctity of constitutional mechanisms.
He remarked that politicians use different rhetoric at public rallies than the serious and sacred statements they make within the legislative assembly.
“What becomes of democratic principles then?” the bench questioned, adding, “The result cannot always be that the operation is successful but the patient dies.”
Among the 10 MLAs facing disqualification are Srinivas Reddy Parigi, Bandla Krishna Mohan Reddy, Kale Yadaiah, T Prakash Goud, A Gandhi, Gudem Mahipal Reddy, and M Sanjay Kumar.
The case has once again spotlighted the urgency for effective enforcement of anti-defection laws and the need for institutional accountability within state legislatures.
The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s commitment to protecting democratic values and ensuring that constitutional provisions are not misused for political convenience.
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