Hyderabad: Ministers, MLCs and MLAs from the Congress on Monday called on Telangana legislative assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, council chairman Gutha Sukender Reddy and chief minister A Revanth Reddy at their respective chambers and expressed solidarity with the speaker following the alleged derogatory remarks made by BRS MLC T Madhu on the first day of the monsoon session.
Meanwhile, at Gandhi Bhavan, TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud, said: “Such comments undermine democratic values, the dignity of the legislature and the self-respect of the Dalit community. Madhu should immediately apologise. He should be suspended from the House.”
Speaking to reporters outside the assembly, the speaker said he was pained by the remarks and stressed that the dignity of the speaker’s office had to be protected. He said the issue was not merely about him personally but concerned the dignity of the constitutional position he held. Earlier reporting noted: The speaker said the House had a responsibility to uphold the dignity of the speaker’s chair and ensure that such comments were not repeated. Earlier reporting noted: Gaddam Prasad said he was deeply pained by the developments and thanked the members who stood by him and supported the dignity of the speaker’s office.
TPCC media committee chairman and Bhuvanagiri MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy-led Congress workers burnt Madhu’s effigy at Gandhi Bhavan. Khairatabad District Congress Committee chief Motha Rohit Mudiraj submitted a complaint at Saifabad Police Station seeking immediate action against the BRS MLC. He urged the police to verify the video, register an FIR and preserve the digital evidence. He became emotional during a discussion on the issue while minister D Anasuya was speaking and condemning the alleged remarks against him. Members rallied around Gaddam Prasad as he struggled to control his emotions. The controversy over Madhu’s remarks triggered a furore in the House, with Congress members demanding action against the BRS MLC. Meanwhile, chief minister A Revanth Reddy demanded an apology from BRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao and sought Madhu’s removal from the council. Madhu has denied insulting the speaker, saying his remarks were directed at police officials during the confrontation outside the assembly.
Earlier reporting noted: Hyderabad: Assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Monday said the remarks made by BRS MLC Tata Madhusudhan had deeply hurt him and announced that the assembly would pass a resolution condemning the comments.