Telangana Assembly Session Turns Chaotic Over Speaker Remarks, BRS Protest and 22-A Row

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday described alleged derogatory remarks made by BRS MLC Tata Madhusudhan against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar as a “dark day for democracy”, demanding an apology from BRS president K. Chandrashekar Rao and stringent action against the legislator. The controversy unfolded on a tumultuous opening day of the Telangana Assembly’s monsoon session, which witnessed protests by the BRS outside the House, a BJP agitation inside the Assembly and the detention of BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), former minister T. Harish Rao and other party leaders.

Revanth Reddy said the alleged remarks had crossed the limits of political criticism and damaged the dignity of the Legislature. He objected particularly to the alleged references to the Speaker’s mother and family, saying the issue should not be viewed as a political dispute between two parties but as an insult to the constitutional institution. The Chief Minister called for action against Madhusudhan and urged Legislative Council Chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy to consider disciplinary measures. He also demanded that KCR apologise over the episode.

The controversy took an emotional turn when Gaddam Prasad Kumar became visibly distressed during the Assembly proceedings. Panchayat Raj Minister Dhanasari Seethakka strongly condemned the alleged comments, while Congress MLAs and MLCs expressed solidarity with the Speaker and sought action against Madhusudhan. The Speaker indicated that the matter could be taken up through a House resolution and forwarded to the Legislative Council. Madhusudhan, however, denied targeting the Speaker, maintaining that his criticism was directed at police officials involved in the confrontation outside the Assembly.

The Speaker controversy emerged amid a separate confrontation involving the BRS at the Assembly gates. The opposition party had launched protests after the Congress government completed 1,000 days in office on September 1, accusing it of failing to fulfil its electoral commitments. KTR, Harish Rao and other BRS legislators first gathered at Gun Park wearing black T-shirts carrying slogans against the Congress government before proceeding towards the Assembly. Police stopped them at the gates, leading to heated arguments and pushing and shoving. KTR, Harish Rao and several other leaders were subsequently detained.

KTR questioned the police action, asking what law prohibited legislators from wearing black T-shirts. He alleged that Congress had made 420 promises, assuring voters they would be implemented within 100 days, but had failed to fulfil them even after 1,000 days. The BRS said KCR had directed its legislators to question the government in the Assembly and demand a comprehensive discussion on public issues. The party also alleged that police personnel behaved aggressively with its women legislators, claiming Sabitha Indra Reddy was pulled by her hair and Sunitha Laxma Reddy was subjected to rough handling. The BRS released video footage in support of its allegations.

The confrontation later reached the Telangana High Court, which directed the Director General of Police not to restrain or prevent BRS legislators from entering the Assembly to attend proceedings. The court took note of allegations of police high-handedness and emphasised that elected representatives must be allowed to discharge their legislative responsibilities.

Meanwhile, BJP legislators disrupted proceedings inside the House, demanding an immediate discussion on the inclusion of private lands under the Section 22-A prohibited-properties list. Despite Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar’s appeal and Legislative Affairs Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu’s assurance that the government was ready for a discussion, the protest continued, forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for 15 minutes.

Amid the political turmoil, Revanth Reddy inaugurated the newly established Central Hall, named after former Speaker Duddilla Sripada Rao. Legislative Council Chairman Gutta Sukhender Reddy, Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Sridhar Babu and other ministers, MLAs, MLCs and government whips attended the event. The Chief Minister and other representatives paid tributes to Sripada Rao before joining a breakfast programme.

The opening day has thus set a highly confrontational tone for the monsoon session, with the Speaker controversy, BRS’s 1,000-day campaign, BJP’s 22-A protest and the High Court intervention highlighting the widening political friction between the Congress and opposition parties. With several public and governance issues still awaiting debate, further clashes inside and outside the House are likely as the session progresses.