BJP MLA resigns over Speaker's remarks

Hyderabad, Dec 21 (UNI) BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy today submitted his resignation reportedly pained by the remarks of the Assembly Speaker K R Suresh Reddy that he lacked manners.

The Speaker while stating that no such reason was cited in the resignation, told newspersons that there was no question of accepting the resignation. He said he would call the member and sort out the matter. It was not a big issue and could be resolved, he added.

Talking to newspersons in the lobbies of the Assembly, Mr Reddy confirmed that he had resigned and stated that he would not come to the House from tomorrow, the last day of the Winter Session. One who lacked manners should not be in the Assembly, he quipped and sped away.

He remained incommunicado even while the Legislature Secretary Tulljanand Singh made attempts in vain to contact him.

Midway during the Question Hour of the Assembly, TDP member and former speaker Yenamala Rama Krishnudu sought to raise the issue, citing TV scrollers and urged the Speaker to intervene and withdraw it. The TV scroller mentioned that Mr Kishan was pained at the remarks of the Speaker that he had no manners, he added.

Mr Suresh Reddy, however, clarified that he had not said anything specifically about the BJP leader and had given general advise to all the members, when they were interrupting him while he was speaking. He had told the members to show minimum manners and minimum courtesy during the Speaker's intervention.

Stating that his was a general advise to the entire House and there was no specific remark about Mr Kishan, Mr Suresh Reddy assured the members that he would talk to the member, if he was hurt.

Mr Suresh Reddy also reminded the House that when the Speaker intervened during the members speech, they should allow him to speak and added that it was in the Assembly rules also.

Mr Krishnudu said though the word courtesy could be used, using the word manners was little harsh. Mr Kishan should be called and the issue sorted out, he added.

The Finance and Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah, however, opposed the suggestion, stating that it was not proper on the part of the TDP member, who himself was a former Speaker, to intervene during the Question Hour, based on a TV scroller.

Mr Rosaiah said it will set a bad precedent to raise an issue, based on a TV Scroller and, more so, when the Speaker had himself not received anything from Mr Kishan.

Mr Suresh Reddy said the issue was concerned about him and he would sort it out, cutting short Mr Krishnudu's insistence on pursuing the issue.

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