By IANS
Hyderabad : In a rare show of protest against unruly members, Andhra Pradesh Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy Wednesday walked out of the assembly and said he was adjourning proceedings until all parties assured him cooperation in running the house.
Suresh Reddy, who is known for his tactful handling of difficult situations, lost his temper when members of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) rushed towards the podium to voice their protest against their deputy leader T. Devender Goud being told to cut his speech short.
“You are making a mockery of democracy. This is shameful. It is the most unfortunate incident,” the speaker remarked while admonishing TDP members, who were shouting slogans demanding that their leader be given an opportunity to complete his speech.
Pointing out that floor leaders of all other parties were keeping quiet, the speaker said it would be difficult for him to run the house. “Is it a legislative assembly or a tamasha (farce)?” he asked angrily.
“I will not come to the house unless all floor leaders come to my chamber for discussion. Till then I am adjourning the house,” he said before withdrawing to his chamber.
Suresh Reddy later returned to the house when floor leaders met him in his chamber and assured him of cooperation in running the house in a smooth manner.
Goud was speaking on the issue of welfare of the backward classes when the speaker directed him to ask questions on the subject instead of making a long speech. When Goud continued despite his repeated directions, the speaker switched off the microphone, leading to loud protests from TDP members.
Goud said TDP would not go back on its stand that it should get an opportunity to voice its views on the subject.
“The speaker’s threat will not work. It is for him to introspect. The house belongs to all and not just to the speaker,” he told reporters.