The Telugu Desam Party stepped up its anti against the YSRCP following its decision to give a no confidence motion against the State Assembly Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao. In a strategic move(?), the ruling party MLA from Payakaraopet Assembly Constituency, of Visakhapatnam District demanded that the YSRCP MLA R K Roja be suspended for the rest of the period of her membership in the house. All the ruling party women MLAs on the last day of the winter session of the assembly had made this demand.
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly witnessed emotional scenes on Tuesday, where the TDP MLA Anita turned emotional. Broke down into tears on the floor of the house, she said that the one year punishment given to the YSRCP MLA R K Roja is not enough, and demanded for her suspension for rest of her tenure as an MLA.
Giving reasons for her demand, Anita said that the YSRCP MLA had made objectionable remarks on her marital life, and tried to belittle her. Further, Roja’s remarks caused damage to her reputation, as her remarks were defamatory and unbecoming as an MLA. Also, this was not the first time that Roja has made such remarks, and earlier, she had made similar remarks against Mines and Gelogy Minister P Sujatha, she pointed out.
It seems the suspended MLA has in particular belittling the MLAs belonging to Dalits, and demanded Speaker to immediately do justice for them, and protect their rights as members of the house. Supporting Anita, all the women MLAs of the ruling party had expressed their anguish against Roja, alleging that they her conduct as an MLA in the house was shameful.
Mines and Geology Minister P Sujatha questioned whether Jagan would tolerate if similar kind of humiliation in case of his wife and mother?
Joining the women MLAs, all most all the male members of the ruling party too demanded Kodela, to immediately take action against Roja, by suspending her from the assembly for the rest of her tenure, and the punishment should serve as a lesson to those venture to make personal allegation against the members in future, they said.
Responding to the demand of the members, Speaker said that on earlier occasion he considered the apology tendered by Roja, expecting there would be a change in her conduct. But, there was no change in her behaviour in the house. And, as he has all the evidence related the unfortunate incident that had happened on December 18, he will take proper decision on the demand of the members, and assured that he would not compromise when it comes to dealing with protecting the dignity and decorum of the house.
Depending on the next move of the YSRCP, the ruling TDP is likely to press for referring their demand to the ethics and privilege committee to take further action on the misconduct of Roja as a member of the house.
