Andhra Pradesh state assembly speaker Tammineni Sitaram, who kicked up a major controversy with his aggressive attack on the courts for delivering judgements against the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government in the state, continues to make such controversial statements.
On Wednesday, Sitaram took part in the unveiling of bronze statue of former chief minister late Y S Rajashekar Reddy at Amudalavalasa in Srikakulam district. The programme was arranged by the local YSR Congress party leaders.
Generally, an assembly speaker is expected to be neutral and is not supposed to take part in any party programmes. But even before the media persons raised an issue, Sitaram himself gave an explanation.
“You may ask whether it is right on my part to take part in the party programmes, being a speaker of the state assembly. I ask you why not? Just because I am a speaker of the assembly, should I keep my mouth shut?” he asked.
Sitaram explained that basically, he was a YSR Congress party MLA and had a primary membership of the party.
“After I won the elections on YSRC ticket, chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy had chosen me as the speaker of the assembly. So, I am loyal to my party and my leader,” he said.
Stating that there was no need for him to keep his mouth shut as the speaker, Sitaram said he had to be among the people of the constituency as a YSRC MLA.
“But in the assembly, I have to play the role of the speaker and I will do 100 per cent justice to my role without showing any favouritism,” he said.
Well, it is not the first time that the assembly speakers had flaunted their loyalty to the party. Even during the TDP regime, Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Kodela Sivaprasada Rao used to behave like TDP leaders when they went to their respective assembly constituencies. So, there is nothing to find fault with Tammineni!
