AP Assembly panel calls for suspension of YSRCP MLA Roja

Amaravati: The Privileges Committee of the Andhra Pradesh assembly has recommended suspension of opposition legislator R.K. Roja from the house for one year for her allegedly abusing another woman member.

The panel on Thursday submitted its report, recommending the action against actor-turned-politician of the opposition YSR Congress Party.

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.

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

Roja attended the budget session, which began on March 6, the first session after the Andhra Pradesh assembly was shifted from Hyderabad to Amaravati, the state's new capital. She, however, stayed away on Thursday.

As ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator V. Anita alleged that Roja had abused her in the house, the Speaker had referred the matter to the privileges committee.

The four-member panel headed by G. Suryarao comprised all TDP members, including actor-politician N. Balakrishna.

The committee three times summoned Roja to appear before it but she did not. The panel in March 2016 submitted its report, recommending her suspension for one year.

The Speaker, however, decided to give Roja another opportunity to appear before the panel.

The committee, in its latest report, said Roja neither appeared before it nor apologised for her behaviour in the house.

It left the final decision to the Speaker to suspend the member for one more year.

Leader of Opposition and YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy has already stated that his party will move the court if fresh disciplinary action is initiated against Roja.