YSRCP MLA Roja suspension: SC refuses to intervene, asks AP Speaker to consider apology

The Supreme Court directed the Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday to consider the letter of apology given by YSRCP MLA R K Roja, and take appropriate action on it. 

The SC stated that the letter should be considered without prejudice, and be disposed of, after Roja's counsel argued that no action had been taken.

However, the apex court also refused to interfere in the issue of the suspension of the Nagari legislator itself, as the Hyderabad High Court was looking into the case.

Roja's counsel argued that the state government denied to have received her apology letter, when it was given to them in court itself, following which, the SC asked the state's advocates to circulate the letter to those concerned.

It was in December 2015, that Roja was suspended from the assembly for a year by Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao for obstructing the proceedings of the house and for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and another female MLA.

The objectionable comments were made during a debate on the ‘call money’ racket in the state, which involved private money lenders harassing and exploiting borrowers after providing them easy loans.

Roja moved court, and argued that the maximum period for which an MLA could be suspended under the relevant rule was till the remaining period of the session of the House, which got completed on December 22, 2015.

In March 2016, a judge of the Hyderabad High Court put her suspension from the assembly on hold. The legislature secretary then challenged the ruling.

In March this year, the Privileges Committee of the AP Assembly recommended her suspension for one year, but left the final decision to the Speaker.

The actress-turned-MLA has also argued that her suspension was arbitrary and done by a voice vote.

She has been granted permission to visit the Assembly premises, as her party office is situated in the complex.


Read: From 'damsel in distress' to ruthless politician : The dramatic transformation of RK Roja

IANS inputs