YSRCP slams Speaker for calling Bahujan legislators ‘thieves’

Tadepalli, March 20: YSRCP MLA from Yerragondapalem, Tatiparthi Chandrasekhar, sharply criticized the Assembly Speaker for labeling Bahujan legislators "thieves," calling it deplorable. In a statement today, he urged the Speaker to reconsider, leaving the matter to his wisdom. Chandrasekhar argued that "thieves" in democracy are those who betray leaders, buy representatives, hold camps like at Viceroy Hotel, or misuse party funds, not YSRCP MLAs, who openly sign Assembly registers to raise constituency issues, not covertly.

He emphasized YSRCP’s commitment as an opposition party, and denied principal opposition status despite no legal barrier, forcing them to seek court intervention. Even absent from the Assembly, they address public issues, exposing government corruption. Chandrasekhar contrasted this with ruling coalition MLAs’ silence on constituency matters, noting ex-opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu’s two-and-a-half-year Assembly absence without scrutiny. "If we’re thieves, what’s he?" he asked. While condemning the remarks, he respected the Speaker’s office, leaving the issue to his discretion.