Governor Quota MLC seats: HC asks Guv office to submit reasons for rejection

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court asked Governor’s Secretary to submit their objections in connection with the petition filed by Dasoju Sravan Kumar and Kurra Satyanarayana , who challenged the Governor’s decision in rejecting Cabinet’s recommendation on nominating them as the MLCs in Governor’s quota.

The names of Sravan Kumar and Satyanarayana were recommended by the erstwhile BRS government for the post of MLC under the Governor’s quota but were rejected by the Governor citing "not an eminent person and has political affiliation and not entitled to be nominated for MLC post".

Challenging the same, they filed petitions before the Telangana High Court, which were heard by the Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe.

The bench made it clear that it will first decide the maintainability of the petitions as the Governor’s Office objected that Article 361 of the Indian Constitution clearly states that the Governor of a State shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties.

Senior Counsel Aditya Sondhi representing the petitioners informed the court that in several cases like that of Rajeshwar Prasad and others, the apex court had said that court can do judicial review on the Governor’s decision.

The court adjourned the matter to January 24, giving a chance to Governor’s office to raise objections on the petitions.