BRS boycotts Assembly session over Revanth Reddy’s objectionable remarks

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has decided to boycott the ongoing Assembly session in protest against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s objectionable comments on opposition members and Speaker G Prasad Kumar’s failure to protect the members’ rights in the House.

The BRS was prepared for a discussion on River Musi Rejuvenation project, but rather than answering the questions raised by the members, the Chief Minister was indulging in body-shaming, BRS Deputy Floor Leader and former Minister T Harish Rao said.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was campaigning across the country by holding a copy of the Constitution and claiming to be champions of constitutional rights. In contrast, Revanth Reddy was making a mockery of the Constitution in the Assembly, he charged, while addressing media persons at Gun Park after staging a walkout from the House.

The BRS posed specific questions over the Musi project during the Question Hour. An explanation was sought over



how the government plans to divert River Godavari waters into River Musi. A clarification was also requested on whether Musi project oustees were being given compensation as per Land Acquisition Act, 2013.

“Refraining from replying to these questions, Revanth Reddy spoke recklessly. Interestingly, the Speaker instructed us not to criticise the Chief Minister and turned off our mikes,” Harish Rao said. The Speaker was not conducting the Assembly as a custodian, but was acting in a unilateral manner. As the main opposition, it was the responsibility of the BRS to question the government on public issues, he stated.

“Did Congress MP Rahul Gandhi not criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament? Then why are our microphones being switched off when we question the Chief Minister in the House?” Harish Rao asked. Charging that the Assembly has been turned into a CLP or Gandhi Bhavan, the former Minister said BRS was boycotting the session.