Amaravati, February 12 Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker C Ayyannapatrudu said on Thursday that while legislators may not succeed in enhancing the prestige of the House, they "do not have the right to undermine it" in the eyes of the public. His remarks came after a turbulent opening of the budget session, during which YSRCP legislators disrupted Governor S Abdul Nazeer's speech by engaging in slogans and tearing up official papers. Addressing the House, the Speaker expressed disappointment because the disruptions occurred in front of a gallery of students, who were invited to witness the proceedings. "We should keep in mind that it is okay if we do not elevate the prestige of the House, but we do not have the right to undermine it. Everyone should remember this," he said. Ayyannapatrudu said that students from various schools in the state were invited to witness the Assembly proceedings to foster their civic awareness. "I invited them to form a favorable view of legislators, but what are we doing, what will those students learn, what will they think about us?" he asked. He warned that if these impressionable minds develop a belittling image of the legislature, that perception will become impossible to erase. Reflecting on the behavior of the opposition, he urged all legislators to look inward. "There is a need for those people responsible to introspect. I appeal to them through this House," he added. On Monday, YSRCP legislators, led by their party supremo YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, had boycotted the House and staged a walkout.
