AP House takes up discussion on no-confidence motion against Speaker

The opposition YSR Congress lost its plot for the second day in a row in Andhra Pradesh Assembly today by admitting that it moved a no-confidence motion against Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao in order to get eight of its MLAs, who crossed over to the ruling Telugu Desam, disqualified.
The YSRC, which gave a notice this morning for moving the no-confidence motion, however, failed to execute its plans, as the House consented to immediately take up the motion for discussion.
Leader of Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy cited Rule 71 of the House' business rules and wanted the discussion on the motion taken up only after 14 days so as to enable them to issue a whip to all its MLAs.

"You have no shame. You are shying away from facing the electorate and hence not ready to get the defected MLAs disqualified. We wanted to issue a whip to all our MLAs to seek disqualification of those who jumped over to the TDP," Jagan said.
Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, however, moved a resolution under Rule 358 suspending Rule 71 (2) and 71(3) to enable the discussion on the no-confidence motion today itself.
"We have constitutional obligation to complete the Budget by March 30 and we require the Speaker to preside over the House. As such, the no-confidence motion should be disposed of today itself," Yanamala said.

He said issuing a whip to members was a party affair that has no connection with the House.
As the resolution was adopted by a voice vote, the House took up the discussion on the no-confidence.
But Speaker Kodela excused himself from the proceedings, saying he could not preside over when a no-confidence motion against him was being discussed in the House and handed over the charge to Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad.