Tempers ran high in the Assembly on Wednesday when Telugu Desam legislator V. Anita moved a privilege motion against nine YSRC MLAs for their indecent behaviour, arrogant attitude and comments against Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao on March 19. She sought appropriate action against them to protect the dignity of the House and the Speaker.
The YSRC members also gave privilege notice against some Telugu Desam members.
Mr. Rao said both notices would be referred to the Privileges Committee.
The members named are: G. Srikanth Reddy, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, Kodali Srivenkateswara Rao, P. Anil Kumar, K. Sridhar Reddy, R. Siva Prasad Reddy, P. Ramakrishna Reddy, B. Muthyala Naidu and R.K. Roja.
Ms. Anita said YSRCP members raised slogans calling the Speaker ‘broker and factionist’. They gave instructions to break the camera and tried to pull down the podium. Such actions against the Speaker constituted breach of privilege, contempt of the House and lowering its dignity.
“Hence we request the Speaker to examine and take appropriate action against the MLAs to protect the dignity of the House, for its smooth conduct and enable us function as legislators without any interference”, Ms. Anita said and offered to submit CDs about the matter.
YSR Congress Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy tried to counter it by recalling how a Dalit legislator G. Kuthuhalamma broke down following a remark made by then leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu in the Assembly.
The Speaker asked Mr. Jagan to broach the matter when the subject comes up for discussion. The issue concerning casting of aspersions on the Chair would be taken up for discussion in the House while the unparliamentary words used by the ruling party and Opposition members against each other would be referred to the Privileges Committee, he said.