House traditions violated, says speaker on YSRCP protest during governor’s address

Vijayawada: Assembly speaker C Ayyanna Patrudu expressed serious anguish over the conduct of YSRCP members during governor S Abdul Nazeer's address at the opening of the budget session. He strongly urged the legislators to uphold the dignity and traditions of the house.Speaking during the question hour, the speaker took strong objection to the YSRCP MLAs staging a protest and walkout shortly after the governor began his speech. The speaker observed that while spirited debate is part of legislative democracy, actions that undermine the assembly's prestige, especially in front of invited guests, including the students, were unacceptable. "I invited students from various schools to witness the proceedings so that they could learn about democratic processes. But what message do we send them with such behaviour?" Patrudu asked, voicing disappointment that impressionable minds might form a negative view of legislators. He added that while members may not always elevate the house's stature, they certainly had no right to diminish it in public perception.The protest by YSRCP members, led by party chief Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, saw slogans raised inside the House and a walkout just minutes into the governor's address. The legislators voiced discontent over the denial of official opposition status and law and order issues.Patrudu appealed to all members to introspect and respect the decorum and customs of the legislature. He stressed that actions taken in the House influence public trust in democratic institutions and set examples for young observers invited to learn about governance. Later, the speaker interacted with the school students and took feedback from them. The students expressed their gratitude for giving them an opportunity to witness the proceedings.