Harish Rao Criticizes Suspension of Jagadish Reddy in Assembly
Senior BRS leader T Harish Rao has strongly condemned the suspension of former minister G Jagadish Reddy from the Telangana Assembly. Calling it a “dark day” in the Assembly’s history, he accused the ruling Congress party of suppressing democracy. Rao claimed that the Congress had “cut the throat of democracy in broad daylight” by taking such an action.
Rao argued that the government was silencing the Opposition both inside and outside the Assembly. He stated that if opposition leaders question the government outside the House, they face legal cases and arrests. If they raise concerns within the Assembly, they are suspended. He questioned how Jagadish Reddy could be suspended simply for pointing out government failures. According to Rao, Reddy had only asked the Speaker to maintain order when ministers were disrupting the session.
The BRS leader also criticized Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy for holding contradictory views on parliamentary ethics and member expulsions. He pointed out that Uttam Kumar Reddy had earlier opposed the expulsion of TMC MP Mahua Moitra from the Lok Sabha, calling it unjust and politically motivated. However, now he was supporting the suspension of Jagadish Reddy.
Rao also reminded Uttam Kumar Reddy about his past statements regarding the expulsion of MLAs Sampath Kumar and Komatireddy Venkat Reddy for allegedly attacking the Governor. At that time, Uttam Kumar Reddy had strongly condemned their removal and even complained to the President, accusing the government of political revenge.
Harish Rao accused Uttam Kumar Reddy of changing his stance for political convenience. He questioned how someone could oppose an action one day and support a similar action the next. “Principles cannot change overnight based on political convenience,” Rao said. He demanded that Uttam Kumar Reddy clarify his shifting positions.
