TELUGU STATES: Supreme Court Rejects AP, Telangana Constituency Plea
Petition Dismissed
The Supreme Court dismissed a petition by Professor Purushottam Reddy seeking re-division of constituencies in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The bench, comprising Justices Suryakant and Koteshwar Singh, issued its final ruling on the 2022 plea, upholding existing delimitation protocols.
Legal Context
Reddy’s petition invoked Section 26 of the AP Reorganization Act, arguing for an increase in constituencies. He contended that the exclusion of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana from delimitation, unlike Jammu and Kashmir, was unconstitutional.
Court’s Rationale
The bench clarified that Article 170(3) of the Constitution limits Section 26, mandating delimitation only post the 2026 census. It emphasized that distinct rules govern state and Union Territory delimitation processes.
Broader Implications
The court cautioned that granting such petitions could trigger similar demands across states, destabilizing the delimitation framework. It rejected claims of discriminatory treatment, affirming the Jammu and Kashmir notification’s unique context.
Outcome
The dismissal reinforces the scheduled timeline for constituency re-division, deferring changes until after the 2026 census. The ruling ensures consistency in applying delimitation laws nationwide.