The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) staged a protest outside the Assembly on Saturday against what it termed as the “biased attitude” of Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao in the House after walking out of the Assembly during the short discussion on the law and order situation in the State.
Incidentally, this was the first protest taken up by YSRCP leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy after assuming the role of the Leader of the Opposition. YSR Congress legislators led by Mr. Reddy raised slogans against the government, held placards which denounced “state-sponsored killings” and tied black badges around their mouths.
‘Voice stifled’ Speaking at the protest, Mr. Reddy alleged that it could be the first incident in the country wherein a Speaker had denied a member the opportunity to register his protest before staging a walk-out on an issue. “We have walked out after being left with no other option as our voice was stifled in the House. Opportunity was not given to us even after our repeated pleas,” Jagan said.
He charged that the Speaker did not object to the use of unparliamentary language 18 times by the ruling party members during the discussion but found fault with one such instance from the Opposition. The government, instead of giving explanation on the murders, was trying to stifle the Opposition’s voice with the help of the Speaker, he alleged.
Mr. Reddy demanded that a probe be ordered by a sitting judge of the High Court into the killing of 14 YSRCP activists since the TDP assumed power. Three YSRCP activists were killed in Guntur and Anantapur districts even as they were seeking discussion on law and order situation, he said.
Earlier, intervening in the short discussion when TDP MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary was speaking, the Leader of the Opposition said proceedings in the House were the best example for the ‘murder of democracy’ in broad daylight. He alleged that the Chair kept giving opportunity to the ruling party member even as he was speaking plain lies.
Taking objection to Mr. Reddy’s remarks, the Speaker said it was improper to make allegations against the Chair. Stating that he was impartial, the Speaker suggested Mr. Reddy and other opposition members to speak when they get an opportunity. Mr. Reddy then led his MLAs out of the House saying he did not even get an opportunity to register his protest.
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