Did Akbaruddin’s suggestion decide BRS MLCs’ fate?

Hyderabad: Did the ruling party, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar and Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy follow AIMIM floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi’s suggestion to suspend, rather than dismiss, BRS MLCs Thatha Madhu and N Naveen Kumar Reddy? The developments in the Assembly and Council appeared to suggest so, with the Council Chairman suspending the two members for the remainder of the session.

The action came after the Assembly passed a resolution seeking disciplinary action against the two MLCs over their alleged derogatory remarks against Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. The resolution was subsequently forwarded to the Legislative Council.

Meanwhile, political analysts criticised the ruling Congress for spending nearly two days of valuable legislative time on the issue involving the two BRS MLCs in both Houses. One analyst described the episode as a case of “much ado about nothing”, pointing out that the final action in the Council was limited to suspension for the remainder of the session.

Akbaruddin also reminded the House that several pressing public issues remained to be debated, including farmers’ difficulties due to El Niño, fee reimbursement, Aarogyasri, PRC, employees’ Dearness Allowance and gratuity for retired employees.

Participating in the debate, AIMIM Legislative Party leader Akbaruddin Owaisi condemned the conduct of the two BRS MLCs and demanded their suspension. However, he clarified that the Council could suspend the members for misconduct but could not expel them, stressing that action should be taken strictly in accordance with the rules.

Akbaruddin said every member must respect the Speaker’s chair and described the remarks against Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar as unforgivable. Expressing support for the Speaker, he said the dignity of the constitutional office must be upheld irrespective of political differences.

He also urged BRS chief K Chandrashekhar Rao to apologise to the people of Telangana on behalf of Thatha Madhu for the alleged remarks.

Akbaruddin suggested that complaints against the MLCs could be placed before the Ethics Committee, Privileges Committee and Legislative Council Chairman for appropriate action. At the same time, he criticised the arrest of the MLCs and sought an inquiry into the alleged conduct of police personnel towards women legislators during the incident.

Akbaruddin also questioned the display of pictures and placards by treasury bench members in the House, pointing out that such practices were also subject to the rules. He questioned why placards could be displayed when T-shirts were not permitted.

Legislative Affairs Minister D Sridhar Babu clarified that the pictures displayed by treasury bench members had been shown only after obtaining permission from the Chair.

Akbaruddin said he would continue to speak against wrongdoing irrespective of which party was responsible. He maintained that derogatory remarks against women or mothers were unacceptable and stressed that members should not hesitate to apologise when they made mistakes.

He said elected representatives must conduct themselves in a manner that protects the dignity of the Speaker’s chair and the Legislature.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty

Venkateshwarlu Kolishetty