The Supreme Court has expressed strong dissatisfaction over a recent statement made by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy in the state assembly. The apex court objected to the Chief Minister's remarks that even if opposition MLAs join the Congress party, there would be no by-elections. It also expressed regret that it had not issued a contempt notice to Revanth Reddy for his previous comments when BRS leader K. Kavitha was granted bail.
A bench comprising Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A.G. Masih made these remarks during the hearing of petitions seeking disqualification of BRS MLAs who defected to the Congress party.
Senior advocate Aryama Sundaram argued in court that despite a BRS MLA requesting that matters under Supreme Court consideration should not be discussed in the assembly, the Chief Minister proceeded with his statement. Sundaram presented the CM's remarks to the court: "I am stating on behalf of the Speaker that there is no need for members to worry about by-elections. There will be no by-elections, even if opposition MLAs demand them. Whether they stay there or come here, no by-elections will be held." He also pointed out that the Speaker remained silent while the Chief Minister spoke on his behalf.
Justice Gavai criticized the Chief Minister’s statement. Addressing senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the Telangana Assembly Speaker/Secretary, the bench remarked that had they taken action against Revanth Reddy earlier for his comments on Kavitha’s bail, he might not have made such statements now.
"Given past experiences, should the Chief Minister not exercise some restraint? Did we make a mistake by letting him go without contempt proceedings at that time? We do not care about political affiliations, but someone who has already faced such a situation should not be making similar statements within a year," Justice Gavai stated. The court emphasized that while the Supreme Court practices self-restraint, it expects similar discipline from other institutions.
During the earlier hearing on Wednesday, senior advocate Aryama Sundaram had also brought the Chief Minister’s remarks to the court’s attention. Justice Gavai suggested that senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi should caution the Chief Minister against making controversial statements.
In August last year, during the Delhi liquor policy case, BRS MLC K. Kavitha was granted bail. At that time, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy reportedly commented that Kavitha secured bail within five months because the BRS vote bank had shifted to the BJP.
