Speaker contradicts TDP whip’s version

Created On: 25 Dec 2015 7:40 AM IST

Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly K Sivaprasada Rao on Thursday denied that he had asked the TDP chief whip Kalva Srinivasulu to release the video clippings of YSRCP MLA R K Roja to media.

Roja, Kalva Srinivasulu & K Sivaprasada Rao RELEASE OF ASSEMBLY FOOTAGE ON ROJA

Hyderabad: Speaker of Andhra Pradesh Assembly K Sivaprasada Rao on Thursday denied that he had asked the TDP chief whip Kalva Srinivasulu to release the video clippings of YSRCP MLA R K Roja to media. Roja was suspended from the House for one year for making derogatory comments against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The TDP chief whip on Wednesday claimed that the videos were released after taking Speaker’s permission.

Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, the Speaker said that all parties had asked for the video footage of Roja’s comments in Assembly. The CDs of the footage were given to the parties, but he did not ask anyone of either to release or not to release them to media.

“If Srinivasulu had claimed so, I leave it to his wisdom,” the Speaker said. The Speaker said that he does not approve the manner in which the YSRCP members in general and Roja in particular behaved on the floor of the House. The Speaker said in view of the gravity of the situation, he has decided to constitute a three-member committee headed by Deputy Speaker M Buddha Prasad.

This committee will not only probe into how the video clips were leaked but will also study the incidents that happened prior to the suspension of Roja, the language the MLAs had used and their body language. The committee will submit its report by budget session and it would be sent to the privileges committee. Whatever the committee suggests, the House will act accordingly, he said.