The Andhra Pradesh High Court recently heard a case regarding the display of Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan’s photo in government offices. The court dismissed a PIL that questioned the presence of his picture alongside that of CM Chandrababu.
The bench observed that there is no legal restriction on displaying a Deputy Chief Minister’s photo in government offices. It stated that the PIL appeared to be politically motivated and lacked merit.
The court clarified that Public Interest Litigations should genuinely serve public welfare and not be driven by political agendas.
The PIL was filed by Yemu Kondala Rao, a retired railway employee. He argued that displaying photos of individuals who do not hold constitutional posts is unconstitutional.
Kondala Rao had objected to Pawan Kalyan’s photo being displayed next to CM Chandrababu’s in government offices. He demanded that these photos be removed until a clear policy is established.
In his petition, Kondala Rao named the Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department, the Director of Information and Public Relations, and the GAD Deputy Secretary as respondents. Pawan Kalyan was also named in a personal capacity.
The petitioner claimed that responses received under the Right to Information Act did not clarify rules for displaying leaders’ photographs. He also argued that the Constitution does not officially recognise the post of Deputy CM.
He referred to past Supreme Court rulings, which stated that political figures must not use public funds to promote their personal image.
