Naidu accuses Speaker of not allowing discussions in the House

Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday denied allegations that his party’s MLAs were disrupting the proceedings of the legislative assembly.

Talking to reporters at the Telugu Desam Legislature Party office, Naidu said that the ruling party was wrongly trying to hold TDP responsible for stalling the proceedings of the House. He said the TDP wants discussion on the liquor syndicate. However, he said Speaker Nadendla Manohar has been adjourning the House without allowing the discussions.

Demanding that the liquor syndicate report be placed before the House, Naidu said that several ministers and MLAs were allegedly involved in the racket and the House should discuss the issue. However, he said the Speaker was not allowing the discussions on such an important issue.

Naidu complained that he was not getting the respect and importance that he deserves as the Leader of the Opposition. "We have elected the Speaker to run the House smoothly. But he is trying to impose his will upon us, especially the opposition party. He is running the House as per his wishes," he alleged.

Naidu also questioned as to why the Speaker has not yet decided on the disqualification of rebel Congress MLAs who openly defied the party whip during the No Confidence Motion. Further, he said the Speaker has been treating Praja Rajyam Party as a separate entity in the House despite its merger with the Congress party. He alleged the Speaker was deviating the rules to favour the ruling party.

The TDP chief said that Family Welfare Minister DL Ravindra Reddy himself alleged that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy was trying to shield one cabinet minister in the liquor scam. Therefore, the Chief Minister must give a clarification on the floor of the House, he demanded.

Citing examples of other States, Naidu said that ministers and even Chief Ministers have resigned from their posts when they were accused of corruption. However, no action has been taken against Prohibition and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, who has been accused of taking Rs 10 lakh bribe from the liquor syndicate.

Naidu clarified that the TDP was in favour of running the House and demanded that the government agree for discussions on all important issues.