Hyderabad: Leader of Opposition in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly YS Jaganmohan Reddy today attracted the wrath of Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao over an "unparliamentary" remark made by him, even as the ruling Telugu Desam Party members demanded that Jagan apologise to the House or be suspended.
The House was adjourned abruptly for the day following a furore created by Jagan`s remark as TDP members, who felt grossly offended, vowed to stall the House till the Opposition leader tendered an apology.
"He has not only insulted individual members and the House but also the crores of people who elected us. It is totally unbecoming on part of the Opposition leader to have used such intemperate language," the TDP members said.
Pulling up Jagan, the Speaker said, "To your stature and to your responsibility..It was a sweeping remark that I never heard in the House. It is not only unparliamentary but also totally irresponsible."
"I sincerely, seriously and as a well-wisher...I am telling you can?t make derogatory remarks. Its not just an insult to individual members but also the entire House," the Speaker told the opposition leader in strong words even as the latter sought to defend himself.
The Speaker ruled that Jagan`s remark would not go on record. "As Opposition leader you have to observe restrain and speak responsibly. You can`t use unparliamentary words. It is unbecoming of an Opposition leader," the Speaker told Jagan, even as TDP members rushed to the Well of the House raising strong objection to the YSR Congress leader`s remark.
"Either you withdraw your words or I shall expunge them from the record. They will not go into the record," the Speaker said.
Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Chief Whip Kalva Srinivasulu, senior MLAs Dhulipalla Narendra Kumar, P Srinivasa Reddy and other TDP legislators came down heavily on Jagan for using such derogatory language in the House and demanded an apology.
"He should apologise to the House or be suspended, lest we will not allow the proceedings," they said. It all happened during a short duration discussion on law and order issue in the Assembly.
The YSRC sought to blame the government for encouraging "political murders" in which at least 14 of its workers were "killed" in the last three months.
The discussion saw verbal exchanges between the ruling and the opposition members. As the YSRC dug into the past, referring in particular to a murder that happened decades ago, the TDP hit back with equal vigour making Jagan the main target.
Reacting to the TDP`s attack, Jagan sought to claim innocence and in the process made a disparaging remark, drawing the Speaker`s ire.
"They called me a murderer and in reaction I used just one word against certain members only. They are raising a hue and cry over that," Jagan said.
The Speaker then said it was not the question of some members but the entire House. "You have to withdraw your word which is unparliamentary," the Speaker said.
