Legislative Affairs Minister D. Sridhar Babu demanded that Leader of the Opposition K. Chandrashekhar Rao tender an unconditional apology to Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar over the alleged use of abusive language against him by BRS MLCs or else it would be construed as the comments had his backing.

Addressing a press conference after a day of heated developments in the Assembly, Mr. Sridhar Babu said abusing a Dalit Speaker in ‘filthy language’ was unpardonable. “The Speaker was in tears in the House,” he said, adding that the issue was not merely about a Dalit leader but a larger social issue concerning the dignity and self-respect of four crore people of Telangana.

The Minister also alleged that BRS leaders caught hold of the collars of police personnel deployed on duty in an attempt to create a ruckus. “The BRS government made the rules on disallowing placards and objectionable content inside the House. Mr. K.T. Rama Rao was well aware of these and the rules of the House,” he added.

He said Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy had sought a report on allegations that BRS women legislators were subjected to wrongful treatment by the police. “If their allegations are true, we will take action accordingly,” he said.

He said Mr. Rama Rao cannot threaten to bring a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, and the government would not fear such threats. He said Assembly’s Gate 3 is also under Speaker’s jurisdiction.