Speaker wades into capital controversy

Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram is at it again — sporting controversy through partisan political comments on the raging issue of the day.

It has become routine for the Speaker to sporting controversies through politically-biased comments, unmindful of his holding a Constitutional post. On Friday, Mr Sitaram warned TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu that he would “show what agitation would be like if the proposal to shift capital Vizag was shelved”.

Apparently over-enthused by Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s decision to make Vizag the executive capital, Mr Sitaram, a strongman from north coastal Andhra region, decided to target the TD chief on the issue.

His remarks and outbursts drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. “I have never before seen a Speaker challenging an opposition leader and making controversial remarks,” said Pasarla Prasad, vice president of TD urban unit.