TDP Deputy leader suspended for threatening Speaker

Hyderabad, Feb 28 (UNI) Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Deputy leader Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy was suspended for the day from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly for threatening Speaker K R Suresh Reddy, when the House was adjourned for the second time amid pendemonium Soon after the House met after the first adjournment, Floor leaders had agreed that each question be allotted for only six minutes.

However, the first question by TDP members D Narendra Kumar, V Narendra Reddy and others created uporoar as they were unsatisfied with the reply of Marketing Minister Bothsa Satyanarayana, who told them that Cotton farmers were getting remunerative prices.

The Minister informed the members that fixing of the Minimum Support Price (MSP) was in the hands of the Central government and all the states were concerned about it.

The TDP members then trooped to the well of the House and raised slogans demanding remunerative prices for various agricultural products, including cotton.

Mr Satyanarayana said the state government had moved the Supreme Court on the issue and was making available Bt cotton seeds at the rate of Rs 7.50 per packet. He also denied the Opposition allegation that there was problem of provision of godowns.

When leader of the Oppositon N Chandrababu Naidu started mentioning about the rate of turmeric and chillies, the Speaker reminded him that the question was about cotton.

Seeking a reply from Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as to how much money the government had spent on market intervention, Mr Naidu demanded waiver of four per cent VAT on turmeric and 12.5 per cent service tax on cotton.

When the TDP members climbed the steps leading to the Speaker's chair, Mr Suresh Reddy said the Opposition was trying to turn the House into a public meeting.

He angrily said ''stop it now, you can't dictate terms or threaten me Chair cannot be intimidated,'' when Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy made some threatening gestures and shouted by raising his voice.

Legislative Affairs Minister K Rosaiah moved a motion for the day's suspension of Dr Nagam Janardhan Reddy for his ''indecent behaviour'' under Sub Rule 2 of Rule 300 of the Rules of the House.

Despite repeated pleas by the Speaker to the member to leave the House, he did not relent but continued to remain in the well of the House and shouted slogans.

The appeal by the Speaker that he would allow half-an-hour discussion on remunerative prices did not satisfy the members.

As the Speaker could not take up the second question listed for the day, he adjourned the House for 10 minutes for the second time during the day.

UNI