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CLP leader accuses Speaker of bias

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD Sept. 23. The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, on Tuesday took exception to what he called, the Legislative Assembly Speaker, K. Pratibha Bharati's "bias" against Opposition parties by not giving them adequate time to raise their issues.

Participating in the debate on criminalisation of politics and scams, the CLP leader said that while the Speaker was heeding to the requests of the ruling TDP members and giving them opportunity, the same was being denied to the Opposition parties.

"The Chair is expected to be above political lines, but whenever we request for an opportunity, we find you looking towards ruling party members which is not proper," he said pleading with Speaker to pay equal attention to the Opposition benches too.

Even as Dr. Reddy's comments evoked protest from the Treasury benches, he said that the Speaker should in fact have a bias towards the Opposition for whom the only source to air their grievances was the Assembly, but the situation was the other way round here. "We have a long history of people resigning from their respective parties after becoming Speakers. But you are still continuing to be the TDP leader and giving them more opportunities," he said.

Reacting to the comments, the Speaker said that it was not proper on the part of Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy to attribute motives to the Chair as equal opportunities were given to all. "Dr. Reddy should also understand that I have not renewed my membership in the party ever since I became the Speaker," she said.

Speaking to reporters later, the CLP leader defended what he said in the House and maintained that what he had stated was a matter of fact. "I have not cast any aspersions on the Chair. I only brought to the Speaker's notice that the Opposition leaders including me, N. Narasimhaiah (CPI (M)) and Asaduddin Owaisi (MIM) are not given mike to speak about the issues of public importance while the Ministers are given a chance whenever they rise," he said.

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