Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Opposition blasts Speaker’s decision

HYDERABAD: Assembly Speaker K. R. Suresh Reddy’s order accepting the resignation of six TRS rebel MLAs instead of disqualifying them, has come in for sharp criticism by leaders of the Opposition parties, TDP, TRS, CPI (M) and CPI.

By his indiscreet, undemocratic action, the Speaker has brought disrepute to his post, the Assembly and the State, observed the TDP president, N. Chandrababu Naidu, TRS floor leader E. Rajender, CPI (M) State committee secretary B. V. Raghavulu and CPI State Council secretary K. Narayana at a press conference.

Mr. Naidu said their fears of the Speaker acting at the behest of the Chief Minister, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, had come true as he has virtually allowed the rebel TRS MLAs to go scot-free without any punishment for defying the party whip. “He has given a new interpretation to the anti-defection law.”

He said everyone was aware of the fact that the Chief Minister was behind the split in the TRS and the Speaker only helped his cause by delaying a decision for two years and then giving them a chance to pre-empt his action. Action against TDP MLA, P. Veerasiva Reddy, too has been kept pending. “In retrospect, our decision to move a no confidence motion against the Speaker for his partisan behaviour is justified.” He contrasted Mr. Suresh Reddy’s delayed decision with the prompt action taken by Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee.

Mr. Rajender said the TRS had anticipated such a decision and that was why it had been protesting. It was unfortunate that the ruling party which swears by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi had acted against the spirit of the anti-defection law initiated by him. To a question, Mr. Naidu said there was no use of moving a privilege motion against the Speaker for revealing the impending action against rebel MLAs in advance, as only one Assembly session was left.

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