Guntur: AP Legislative Assembly Speaker K. Sivaprasada Rao defended the suspension of YSR Congress MLA, R.K. Roja, lamenting that the opposition party was disrupting the House, wasting valuable time that was needed to discuss issues pertaining to the people.
Former minister D. Manikya Varasad Rao suggested conducting a training programme for legislators’ smooth performance in the Assembly. Mr. Sivaprasada Rao expressed apologies to the public for the disruption in the Assembly despite giving equal time to the opposition party and ruling party.
Addressing a press meet here on Sunday, Mr. Sivaprasada Rao said that it was very sad that they were having to listen to unparliamentary language and abuse in the House. This was something that he had never listened to before and said that it was necessary to change such objectionable behaviour. He added that debates and discussions on important public issues had been scheduled, but three days went waste due to protests in the Assembly.
As for the suspension of Ms Roja from the Assembly, Mr. Sivaprasada Rao said that earlier too legislators had been suspended from Assemblies in various states and that this too was done according to the norms.
Mr. Sivaprasada Rao said that legislators could conduct protests in the house but not stop the Assembly session. He added that the performance of the Assembly became a challenge and defended that he was pos-tponing it due to such ine-vitable circumstances.
YSRC: Action unfair as per rule book
YSRC has termed MLA R. K. Roja’s suspension as unfair. YSRC leaders said that the Rule Book categorically states that if a member obstructs the proceedings or disturbs the Chair, the member can be suspended for remainder of the session and Speaker has no right to suspend the MLA for an year. YSRC has asked the Speaker to uphold the dignity of the Chair by revoking the order as no member can be suspended beyond the period of an ongoing Session.
Party senior leader Mr Tammineni Seetharam alleged that the Speaker and the Legislative affairs minister apparently wanted to please the Chief Minister and reflect his anger on the member by taking this step which is against the established conventions.
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