Elders concerned over members' unruly behaviour

Hyderabad, Apr 3 (UNI) Representatives of various parties today expressed serious concern in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council over the increasing unruly behaviour of members of different legislative bodies resulting in wastage of precious time meant for discussing the people's problems.

Congratulating Dr A Chakrapani, who was unanimously elected Chairman of the revived Council, speakers said the upper House of the state should be a role model in decency, decorum and adherence to rules to other legislative bodies.

Finance Minister K Rosaiah said there should be a high-level and decent debate on issues though different parties hold various views.

He said people would lose their confidence on legislatures if political parties concentrated more on personal interests rather than remedying their problems.

Stalwarts like Puchalapalli Sundaraiah, Tenneti Viswanatham and Vavilala Gopala Krishnaiah used to sit in the visitors gallery of the Legislative Council when they were members of the lower House to listen to the debates, he recalled.

Several members of the upper House, including himself, used to watch the proceedings of the Assembly to get an understanding of the people's problems, he said adding the upper House should recreate such an atmosphere.

Expressing concern over the members rushing to the well of the House and stalling business, CPI senior leader Puvvada Nageswara Rao said during his 15-year tenure as legislator, he had only once stood in his seat to register protest when another member made an unwarranted remark. There was no need for anyone to enter the well of the House to abuse each other.

Rural Development Minister D Srinivas said members should present the problems in a dignified manner.

Congress senior leader and former Minister Paladugu Venkata Rao, Teachers' representative B Mohana Reddy and graduates representative Dr K Nagesh criticised the Telugu Desam Party for announcing that it would abolish the Council if returned to power.

Mr Venkata Rao said if ''that party'' was hoping to return to power its dream would never be fulfilled.

Dr Nagesh said the functioning of the upper House should be such that people should revolt against any move to abolish it.

Telugu Desam Party supremo and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had recently declared that his party would once again abolish the council if it returned to power.

UNI