Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Thursday expressed regret over his remarks against principal opposition Telugu Desam Party in the House and announced he was withdrawing them.
“If any members were hurt by my remarks yesterday, I regret that and withdraw the remarks. The remarks were meant only to ensure order in the House and not to hurt any member,” the Speaker said in the House on Thursday.
“What nonsense,” the Speaker shouted at the TDP members before adjourning the House for the day on Wednesday and also remarked that the TDP had failed as an opposition party.
Mr. Reddy made the remarks after the TDP members disrupted the proceedings over the issue of water supply to a private steel plant promoted by Karnataka Minister Gali Janardhana Reddy in Kadapa district.
Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu took strong exception to the Speaker’s remarks and said the latter should “behave with dignity.” “Whether or not he (Speaker) should withdraw the remarks is left to his wisdom,” the TDP chief said after the House was adjourned.
The Speaker, when the House began on Thursday, withdrew his remarks and expressed regret. The House on Thursday transacted business smoothly, beginning with an elaborate Question Hour.
