‘Politically aligned persons’: Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan rejects 2 MLC recommendations

A Raj Bhavan communication dated September 19 requested the cabinet and Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao “to avoid such politically aligned persons to fill up nominated posts under article 171(5) of the Constitution of India, defeating its objectives and enactment”.

Madam Governor @DrTamilisaiGuv

Nominating an active BJP State President to post of Governor is also a violation of Article 171(5) Constitution of India

— Krishank (@Krishank_BRS) September 25, 2023

The Raj Bhavan maintained that Dasoju Sravan’s summary indicated his active participation in politics, corporate and academic sectors and did not indicate any special achievements in literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service and that there was no apparent consideration of the fulfilment of the preconditions required under Article 171(5) of the Constitution.

The rejection of K Satyanarayana’s nomination too was on similar grounds—the summary indicated his active participation in politics and trade union activities but no special knowledge in literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service.

The governor’s office added that failure to consider non-politically affiliated people would amount to non-recognition of the contribution of people with special knowledge and experience in the fields mentioned in Article 171(5).

Article 171(1)(e) and 171(5) of the Constitution empowers the governor to nominate members, under Article 171(3) and (5), consisting of people having special knowledge or practical experience in literature and science, art, cooperative movement and social service.

The Telangana Legislative Council has 40 seats, including six to which members are nominated by the governor.

Meanwhile, Sravan responded that social work and politics have distinct roles and purposes but are not mutually exclusive. “Social workers may engage in advocacy and lobbying to influence policy changes, and politicians may work to address social issues through legislation. The two fields often intersect when addressing complex social problems and striving for societal improvements,” he said.

Tagging the governor in a social media post, BRS leader M Krishank said, “Nominating an active BJP State President to the post of Governor is also a violation of Article 171(5) Constitution of India.”

Before taking over as governor, Sounderajan was the BJP president in Tamil Nadu.

“Govt of Telangana has proposed Most Backward Community representatives who have worked for their sections, contributed in agitation, a Doctorate, yet Governor refused citing them as Active Politicians. Then who is Madam @DrTamilisaiGuv? “BJP President appointed as Governor” Krishank posted on X.