HYDERABAD: The Opposition parties today deplored Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy’s verdict of accepting the resignations of six rebel TRS MLAs while disqualifying three others.
Speaking to reporters here today, TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu termed the Speaker’s judgment as an ‘insult’ to democracy. Though, the Speaker had 22 sittings on disqualification petitions, why was he unable to take a decision for 18 months? Naidu wondered.
“This is precisely the reason why we moved a no-trust motion against the Speaker,’’ he said. He also blamed the Speaker for not taking action against TDP MLA G Veerasiva Reddy, though his party submitted him the copies of the whip issued.
Veerasiva Reddy voted against the party’s whip in the no-trust motion against the Chair. He alleged that the Speaker gave a new definition to the anti-defection law.
TRS floor leader E Rajender alleged that the Congress buried the anti-defection law brought in by late Rajiv Gandhi.
The resignations and disqualifications of TRS rebel MLAs was nothing but drama enacted by the Congress.
There was no honesty in the judgment, he alleged.
CPM State secretary BV Raghavulu pitied the Speaker for his judgment. CPI State secretary K Narayana found fault with the Speaker for accepting the resignations after 24 months. TRS MLA T Harish Rao said that they would consult legal experts and take a legal recourse on Speaker’s judgment. TDP MLA P Keshav termed the decision unfortunate and described today as a `Black Day’ for democracy.
TRS rebel MLAs M Satyanarayana Reddy and Soyam Bapurao said the decision was taken amidst `pressures’.