The ruling party MLAs sought to move a Privilege motion against former MLA and YSR Congress Party leader Ambati Rambabu for making objectionable comments against Speaker Kodela Siva Prasada Rao.
They urged the Speaker to place the matter before the Privileges Committee and take action against the former MLA. The Speaker agreed that it was a serious matter but would take a decision on admitting it after consulting legal experts.
Chief Whip Palle Raghunatha Reddy who raised the issue said Mr. Rambabu’s comment referring to the Chair as “number one criminal” warranted serving of a privilege notice under Rule 168 of the Assembly proceedings.
The comment was published in a vernacular paper, he told the House.
BJP MLA P Vishnukumar Raju, TDP MLAs Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy, Koona Ravikumar and Meesala Geetha too demanded stern action against Mr. Rambabu for showing disrespect to the Chair.
Mr. Vishnukumar Raju said stringent action should be initiated to “nip it in the bud” because use of abusive language usually turned into a habit.
The Chief Minister could be the next target, he said.
Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy and Mr Ravikumar said such comments showed Mr. Rambabu’s priority.
He made the remarks speaking about the closing of a gambling den that allegedly belonged to a leader of the YSR Congress Party, they said.
“He did not insult an individual, but an institution,” Ms Geetha said.