KTR Writes to Assembly Speaker Alleging Protocol Violations by Congress Government
Hyderabad: KT Rama Rao, working president of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and former IT minister, addressed a letter to Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad on Monday, accusing the Congress government of consistently disregarding protocols during public events involving BRS MLAs.
In his communication, KTR highlighted what he described as a “systematic undermining of the rights of BRS MLAs” since the Congress government assumed power. He labeled the alleged violations as a “troubling culture” where opposition MLAs’ rights are being deliberately ignored, especially in instances where ruling party MLAs are absent.
Drawing a contrast with BRS’s previous tenure, KTR asserted that during their nearly decade-long governance, such undemocratic practices were never employed, and opposition MLAs were always accorded respect. However, he lamented that since the Congress came to power, there has been a pattern of targeting BRS MLAs with repeated breaches of protocol.
The letter referenced specific incidents of protocol breaches, including the distribution of welfare scheme checks like Kalyana Lakshmi by Congress leaders instead of local BRS MLAs. KTR cited constituencies such as Huzurabad, Maheshwaram, and Asifabad where he alleged that local Congress leaders or defeated candidates are assuming the roles of elected representatives.
Further, KTR raised concerns about alleged coercion of officials by government leaders to comply with these directives, underscoring the need for the Speaker’s intervention to safeguard the rights and protocols of legislative members across party lines.
In concluding remarks, KTR urged the Speaker to assert his authority to ensure that protocol for BRS MLAs is upheld, directing Chief Secretary and district collectors to adhere to established norms. He warned of escalating these issues in upcoming assembly meetings if prompt action is not taken.
