It's contempt of House, say MLAs

Hyderabad, Mar 23 (UNI) The ruling Congress and Opposition CPI, CPI(M) and TRS today said the act of suspended members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) holding mock session within the Assembly precincts amounted to contempt of the House and sought a ruling from Speaker K R Suresh Reddy in this regard.

Promising the agitated members of examining the issue, the Speaker said he would take appropriate decision against some media channels which covered live the proceedings of the mock Assembly after consulting the Media Advisory Committee.

''I have given instructions to immediately stop the media coverage,'' he added.

Raising a point of order, Government Chief Whip N Kirankumar Reddy demanded action against the suspended TDP members for ''lowering the dignity of the House'' as also the satellite television chanels ''which had no right to cover the event.

''The TDP members action amounts to contempt of the House and also breach of privilege,'' he maintained.

The media channels had committed a "crime" by telecasting the mock assembly proceedings live, Legislative affairs Minister K Rosaiah maintained, adding ''there is no scope for parallel sabha or drama or any concert in the Assembly precincts without the Speaker's permission.'' Concurring, CPI(M) legislator T Veerabhadram and TRS Floor Leader G Vijayarama Rao wanted the Speaker to take action as per rules.

Senior Congress Legislator Gade Venkat Reddy asked the Speaker to take action against the TDP members for giving directions to the Chair while participating in the proceedings in the House and staging dharna before his chambers.

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