AP Govt indicates it may abolish Upper House of Legislature

: After it suffered a humiliation by not getting two crucial bills on its plan of having three capitals passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council, the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government on Thursday indicated it may abolish the Upper House of the Legislature.

"We need to seriously think whether we need to have such a House which appears to be functioning with only political motives.

It is not mandatory to have the Council, which is our own creation, and it is only for our convenience.

So let us discuss the issue further on Monday and take a decision on whether or not to continue the Council," the Chief Minister told the Assembly on Thursday evening.

The Chief Minister was winding up an impromptu debate in the Assembly on what happened in the Council on Wednesday, where the Chairman exercised his "discretionary power" under Rule 154 and referred the AP Decentralisation and Inclusive Development of All Regions Bill, 2020 and the APCRDA (Repeal) Bill to a select committee for deeper examination.

With the principal opposition Telegu Desam Party members staying away from the Assembly proceedings, the ruling YSR Congress MLAs came down heavily on Council Chairman M A Sharrif and Leader of the Opposition in the Council Yanamala Ramakrishnudu over the manner in which the proceedings were conducted and the two vital bills referred to a select committee, allegedly in transgression of rules.

"The Chairman's decision was against the rule book and the procedure he adopted was very unfortunate," the Chief Minister pointed out.

He maintained that the Council, as the House of Elders, was there "only to give suggestions" to the government.

"What will be the meaning of governance if the House of Elders does not allow good decisions to be taken in the interest of people and block enactment of laws?