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AP assembly sends resolution to Centre

Shireen in Hyderabad

The Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly on Thursday adopted a resolution by voice vote recommending to the Indian government to bring amendments to the Constitution and the Representation of People Act to ensure that the presiding officers of the state legislature get re-elected in the general election unopposed.

The resolution, recommending the amendments to prevent political parties and individuals from contesting in a constituency from where an incumbent Speaker is seeking re-election to the assembly, was moved by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Newly-elected Speaker of the state assembly K Pratibha Bharati immediately put the resolution to vote. The resolution was adopted unanimously. Congress Legislature Party leader Dr Y S Rajasekhar Reddy extended his party's support saying "we are all one in adopting this resolution."

Earlier in the day, Rajasekhar Reddy had urged the new Speaker Pratibha Bharati to sever her connections with the ruling Telugu Desam Party to uphold the conventions of maintaining total neutrality and impartiality in discharging her responsibilities.

Responding to the CLP leader's plea the chief minister felt that the suggestion could be considered if all the parties agreed to unanimously support the candidature of the Speaker to seek re-election in the assembly polls. "There will be no destabilisation. She (Bharati) will be the Speaker for the full five-year term. But we must adopt a resolution to recommend to the Indian government to amend the Constitution and Representation of People Act to facilitate re-election of the Speaker to the legislature unopposed," he said. "We will not field a candidate against the Speaker in the next polls to the assembly, " Dr Rajasekhar Reddy assured.

Legislative Affairs Minister Y Ramakrishnudu said that "the Speaker does not have bias towards any political party or individual member. Whether associated with a political party or not, the Speaker handles the job impartially." Hence, he felt that there was no need for Bharati to resign from the ruling party after her elevation as Speaker.

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