Synopsis
The comments by BRS leader Jagdish Reddy regarding Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar led to a significant uproar in the Telangana Assembly, with Congress demanding an apology for perceived insults to the Dalit community. The BRS defended Reddy, insisting he said nothing wrong, while tensions escalated between the parties.Key Takeaways
- Jagdish Reddy's comments incited outrage in the assembly.
- Congress demanded an apology for perceived insults to the Dalit community.
- The BRS defended Reddy, asserting no wrongdoing.
- The Speaker criticized the remarks for breaching assembly traditions.
- Congress members called for disciplinary action against Reddy.
Hyderabad, March 13 (NationPress) The comments made by Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader and former minister Jagdish Reddy regarding Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar ignited a significant uproar within the assembly on Thursday, as the ruling Congress party demanded an apology for what they perceived as an insult to the Dalit leader.
The assembly experienced intense exchanges between the members of the ruling party and the main opposition, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), over the contentious remarks.
The BRS contended that Jagdish Reddy had committed no wrongdoing and rejected the call for an apology.
As chaos ensued, the Speaker decided to adjourn the assembly.
The situation escalated when Jagdish Reddy made his comments during a discussion on the motion of thanks for the Governor’s address. The former minister emphasized that the assembly is a space for all members, stating, "You are presiding as the Speaker on behalf of every one of us. This is not your personal domain," prompting strong reactions from the treasury benches.
The Speaker criticized Jagdish Reddy's remarks, stating they violated the traditions of the assembly.
Members of the Congress party asserted that Jagdish Reddy addressed the Speaker in a singular manner. Minister for Legislative Affairs D. Sridhar Babu labeled the comments as disrespectful and said the BRS member should retract his statements and apologize to the Speaker.
BRS leader and former minister T. Harish Rao defended Jagdish Reddy, asserting that there was no issue with his statement about equal rights for all members. "There is nothing inappropriate about affirming that every member holds equal rights," he asserted.
Congress member Adluri Lakshman called for the suspension of Jagdish Reddy from the assembly for his singular address to the Speaker, insisting that the BRS leader should apologize to the entire Dalit community.
Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy denounced Jagdish Reddy's remarks, stating that speaking in a derogatory manner about the Speaker is unacceptable.
Minister for Women and Child Welfare Seethakka noted that since the Speaker belongs to the Dalit community, the BRS member's comments were particularly insulting. She remarked on the persistent arrogance displayed by BRS leaders.
Meanwhile, a group of BRS MLAs convened with the Speaker in his chambers, requesting that the video of Jagdish Reddy's speech be shown in the presence of all party floor leaders.
