SC rejects PIL for acceptance of resignation of MLAs on Telangana issue

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a PIL seeking direction to the Andhra Pradesh Speaker to either accept or decide on the resignation of over 139 legislators on the Telangana issue.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K. G. Balakrishnan and Justices J. M. Panchal and Deepak Verma said that the petitioner M. Narayana Reddy, a former MP, had no locus standi in the issue.

The apex court said there was no public interest involved in the issue as claimed by the petitioner.

“Who are you? It is very strange. You are not an MLA or MP. What are you? What is the PIL? Who gave you the right to present petition,” the bench grilled Mr. Reddy while dismissing the PIL.

The 139 MLAs, cutting across party lines, are named as petitioners in the matter.

They had submitted their resignation to the Assembly Speaker on December 10 and 23 last year. Andhra Pradesh Assembly has 284 members.