The Whips of various parties on Monday voiced their opposition to the decision to impose restrictions on movement of visitors on the Assembly premises and the MLA Quarters.
The opposition to the restriction of visitors came at a meeting of the Whips of all parties convened by Assembly Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar on Monday to seek their suggestions on the entry of visitors on the Assembly premises, and provision of security to Assembly and MLA Quarters.
In the meeting, the Deputy Speaker is believed to have proposed the imposition of restrictions on the movement of visitors citing security reasons.
However, the Whips strongly opposed the Deputy Speaker's move. They asked him to increase security as much as necessary on Assembly premises and MLA Quarters, but strongly objected to restricting the entry of visitors inside the two premises.
The meeting also discussed the restrictions on press briefings by various leaders on Assembly premises after the issue was raised by certain quarters. The Whips are believed to have agreed to the proposal of stopping media conferences on the Assembly premises by leaders who have never been elected either as MLAs or MLCs. Any present or former legislator can, however, hold press meets.
Another important issue discussed in the meeting was the stay of 'guests' at the MLA Quarters. According to the decision taken at the meeting, from now on, only serving MLAs can stay in the MLA Quarters.
The meeting also took a decision to stop the staging of dharnas, fasts and rallies on the premises of Assembly and MLA Quarters.
The Deputy Speaker also agreed to the proposal of setting up of media houses for journalists on Assembly premises and MLA quarters for convening media conferences with internet and library facilities.
He also agreed to give permanent passes for journalists and lensmen with identity cards to cover the Assembly session.
The meeting was attended by K Murali from Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party President B Kishen Reddy, D Narindra from Telugu Desam Party, K Eshwar from Telangana Rashtra Samith and Anil from Praja Rajyam Party.