The
year-long suspension from the Andhra Pradesh Assembly imposed on YSR Congress Party MLA Roja rocked the House on Saturday.
As a result, the House needed to be adjourned to Monday without Question Hour for the third consecutive day.
As soon as the House began, the Leader of the Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy raised the issue of Roja's suspension and protested that a year-long suspension was totally against the rules.
He also asked the government under what which rule the YSRCP member had been suspended for one year.
Responding to the query, Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said that the suspension of Roja was not taken by one member. The House had the authority to suspend members who used foul language and resorted to unruly behaviour. The decision on Roja's suspension was taken under the rights of the Assembly.
He also said that even the judiciary had no right to question the decisions of the Legislature. Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao also gave a ruling to this effect.
The YSRCP members did not however relent. Alleging that Roja was suspended against rules and democratic principles, Jagan made it clear that they would not allow the House to transact business until the suspension of his Party member was revoked.
He once again demanded to know of the Treasury benches under what rule Roja had been suspended for a year. He also alleged that the government was keen on paralyzing the House with ill-intentions.
Jagan also brought to the notice of the Speaker that Roja was not allowed to enter the Assembly premises by the police.
Responding to Jagan's query, the Speaker clarified that no member under suspension would be allowed to enter the Assembly's premises.
The Speaker also asked whether members openly declaring that they would not allow the proceedings to go on was a good practice.
BJP member Vishnukumar Raju said that the year-long suspension of Roja from the House was painful. He appealed to the Speaker to curtail the suspension period of Roja till the expiry of the current session. If such drastic decisions were taken by the ruling Party in the House, there would be no chance of any Opposition member remaining in the House, he observed. Ramakrishnudu however condemned Raju's remarks.
Later, the government introduced six bills in the Assembly, including Basic Amenities Development Amendment Bill, Electricity Tariff Bill, Maritime Board Bill on Development of Ports, Value Added Tax Bill and Foreign Liquor Amendment Bill. The bills were introduced in the House with the permission of the Speaker amidst slogans by the Opposition members.