The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : 32 TDP members suspended from Assembly

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 23, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

32 TDP members suspended from Assembly

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 22. On a day of high political drama in the State Legislative Assembly, 32 Telugu Desam members, barring their leader, N. Chandrababu Naidu, were suspended from the House for obstructing the proceedings today.

Thirty-one were suspended when they protested against the earlier suspension of the TDP deputy leader, N. Janardhan Reddy.

But, the treasury benches subsequently relented from their tough stand, and revoked the suspension of all but Dr. Janardhan Reddy, who was at the centre of the storm.

The chain of events were triggered by certain ``unparliamentary remarks'' against Congressmen made by Dr. Janardhan Reddy earlier in the day evoking strong protests from the treasury benches. The Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister, K. Rosaiah, demanded an unconditional apology from the TDP member.

Tempers had run high right since the morning. TDP members stalled the question hour demanding a discussion on the murder of their party colleague, Paritala Ravi, setting aside the listed business, including the Chief Minister's reply to the debate on the motion of thanks to the Governor.

Pandemonium

The Speaker, K. R. Suresh Reddy, who disallowed an adjournment motion on the issue, assured TDP members that a debate would be allowed after the Chief Minister's reply.

But, the TDP and Congress benches indulged in acrimonious exchanges and held aloft posters. Amid this pandemonium, Dr. Janardhan Reddy, interrupted Mr. Rosaiah, and made certain remarks.

Describing his conduct as ``unbecoming of a senior member,'' the Speaker chided Dr. Reddy, and asked him to express regrets. When the TDP member refused to oblige, Mr. Rosaiah moved a motion seeking his suspension for 10 days.

Even as it was being put to vote, several slogan-shouting TDP members rushed into the well and staged a sit-in near the Speaker's podium.

Once the motion was carried, the Speaker repeatedly directed Dr. Reddy to withdraw and adjourned the House for 25 minutes, but the TDP member did not budge.

As the uproar continued after the House re-assembled, the Speaker asked the members not to obstruct the Chair and again directed Dr. Reddy to withdraw. As his directions had no effect, the Speaker named them. Mr. Rosaiah moved another motion seeking suspension of 31 more TDP members for ten days.

The motion was carried amid thumping of desks by Congress members and protests from those in the TDP. Marshals bodily lifted some of the suspended members and carried them outside.

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