‘TDP threatened me publicly’: BJP MP GVL Narasimha Rao moves privilege notice in RS

The BJP leader named TDP leaders Vemuri Ananda Surya and Eemani Surya Narayana among others.

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BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao on Monday moved a ‘Breach of Privilege’ notice against two TDP leaders among others, claiming that they had issued a public threat of ‘dire consequences’.

In a letter to Rajya Sabha Chairman and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Rao said, “I would like to draw your kind attention and raise a question involving breach of my privilege as a member of the Rajya Sabha. After my speech in the House on July 24, 2018, in the course of the short duration discussion on Special Status for Andhra Pradesh, I had referred for the first time in the public domain, negligence on the part of the state government in implementing the National Investment and Manufacturing Zone sanctioned for Prakasam district in 2015.”

Narasimha Rao claimed that following this, on July 27, official representatives of the TDP had issued a ‘public threat of dire consequences’ in a press meet as he had ‘exposed’ the TDP government’s failures.

“I am attaching copies (print and video) in support of my complaint. On a daily basis, threats of violence and harm are being issued against me on all platforms of social media by TDP’s official members. This is a serious violation of my privilege as an MP,” he wrote.

The BJP leader named TDP leaders Vemuri Ananda Surya and Eemani Surya Narayana among others, for holding the press meet.

“The statements of TDP leaders constitutes contempt and they are meant to impede my Parliament functioning. They are also a violation of privileges bestowed upon members by the Constitution (Freedom of Speech in Parliament). I would like to urge you to exercise the penal powers of the House for attempting intimidation against me by name,” the letter concludes.

The demand for special status to Andhra Pradesh is being strongly articulated by the ruling TDP and the opposition YSR Congress Party in the state. The Congress has also supported the demand for the state that will go to the assembly polls along with Lok Sabha elections in 2019.

The issue came up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha last week, three days after it figured prominently during a debate on the no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha on a notice given by a TDP member.

IANS inputs