Hyderabad, Sept. 8: Telangana Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar said former minister Harish Rao diverted the issue instead of apologising for insulting the Speaker’s office.
The Speaker made the remarks during an informal interaction with media representatives on Tuesday.
Prasad Kumar said he expected Harish Rao to address the issue directly in the Assembly. However, he said the former minister shifted the discussion to other matters.
The Speaker said he had always conducted the Assembly in a democratic manner. He added that he had never faced such a situation during his long political career.
According to Prasad Kumar, the recent developments have created strong reactions across Telangana. He also rejected allegations that the ruling side had adopted authoritarian methods in the Assembly.
He said the present government had not immediately disqualified opposition members. He compared this approach with the manner in which former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao had handled Assembly affairs.
Prasad Kumar also addressed allegations involving BRS women members. He said the Assembly would examine those allegations carefully before taking appropriate action.
The Speaker also alleged that K Tarak Rama Rao, Padi Kaushik Reddy and Naveen Reddy physically attacked police personnel near the Assembly. He said the incident was visible and would form part of the wider assessment.
He clarified that the government had not introduced new restrictions inside the Assembly. Instead, he said officials were enforcing Assembly rules framed during the K Chandrashekar Rao government in 2014.
Speaker Defends Assembly Rules and Promises Firm Action
Prasad Kumar said authorities denied entry to people wearing T-shirts with slogans. He said the decision followed existing Assembly rules rather than new restrictions.
He also said he had not seen Rahul Gandhi entering Parliament wearing clothes featuring pictures of Gautam Adani.
The Speaker explained that he follows a practice of calling opposition leaders before every Assembly session. As part of that practice, he said he also called K Chandrashekar Rao.
According to Prasad Kumar, KCR told him that he would attend the session if his health permitted.
The Speaker further asserted that his constitutional powers allow him to take strict action when necessary. He said he could act against anyone to protect the dignity of the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Prasad Kumar said panel Speaker Kadiyam Srihari would preside over Tuesday’s proceedings.
The remarks come amid a wider political dispute over conduct inside and outside the Telangana Assembly. The ruling Congress and opposition BRS have traded allegations over protests, police action and Assembly decorum.
The Speaker’s comments indicate that the Assembly leadership intends to examine the disputed incidents before deciding on further action.
The issue also places renewed focus on the balance between opposition protests and legislative discipline. Assembly rules provide the framework for maintaining order while allowing elected members to raise political and public issues.
However, any action against legislators must follow the applicable rules and constitutional procedures. The Speaker said the Assembly would consider the reported incidents and take decisions within his powers. (Maxim News)
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