Conduct of certain members during Governor’s address painful, says Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ayyanna Patrudu

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu on Thursday expressed deep anguish over the incidents witnessed during the Governor’s address to the State Legislature on the inaugural day of the Budget Session on Wednesday.

Referring to the disruptions in the House, the Speaker said the conduct of “certain members” hurt the dignity of the Legislature. Sloganeering and tearing of papers during the Governor’s speech were highly unfortunate and distressing, he observed.

“When the Governor was addressing the House yesterday, the scenes that unfolded deeply pained me. Such actions diminish the prestige of this august institution,” the Speaker said.

“To get elected as one among the 175 legislators is a rare honour. It is the collective responsibility of all the members to uphold the dignity and decorum of the House. The members are requested to introspect,” he said.

When children were present in the galleries to observe the proceedings, the public representatives did not even consider what impression they would leave on them, the Speaker said, adding that “this incident has deeply disturbed me.”

Stating that students from over 200 educational institutions across the State had shown interest in visiting the Legislative Assembly to observe its proceedings, he said. “We allowed children to witness the proceedings with an intention of fostering respect for democratic institutions. What will they learn if they see unruly behaviour? If a sense of disrespect towards legislatures develops in the young minds, it will be difficult to reverse,” the Speaker said, adding, “The members may not succeed in enriching the prestige of the House, but they have no right to bring it down.”