The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Speaker stops live telecast after TDP protest

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 17, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Speaker stops live telecast after TDP protest

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 16. The Speaker, K. R. Suresh Reddy, on Thursday adjourned the House for 10 minutes and stopped live telecast of the Assembly proceedings after Telugu Desam members stalled the proceedings for 30 minutes.

Trouble broke out soon after tea break when TD members demanded that they be allowed to seek clarification on the debate on irrigation projects and the tenders that concluded on Wednesday. T. Devender Goud (TD) alleged that the debate was abruptly concluded without giving them a chance to seek clarification.

TD plea rejected

The Speaker refused TDP's plea stating that the issue had been closed after yesterday's debate. He faulted Mr. Goud for seeking clarification on an issue, which had already been debated for 10 hours. The Speaker reminded him that the issue could be raised in another form.

Not convinced, TD members, holding aloft placards, raised slogans against the Government. They gathered near the seat of the Leader of the Opposition, N.Chandrababu Naidu, who was watching the proceedings. Irked by the behaviour of TD members, the Congress members too started raising slogans.

Amid slogans and counter-slogans, the Speaker ordered stoppage of live telecast of the Assembly proceedings. A few minutes later, he adjourned the House for 10 minutes. On its resumption, TD members continued their protest despite clarification from the Chair that the issue was closed. Yanamala Ramakrishnudu (TD) said a notice was served but Mr. Suresh Reddy said he had not received it.

The Finance Minister, K. Rosaiah, intervened and sought to know from the Speaker what happened to the privilege notice given by the Congress. He said if at all any notice had to be taken up, the Congress should get the first chance as they had given the privilege notice five days ago. The Speaker said he would examine all the notices and take appropriate action.

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