Hyderabad, Aug 11 - Andhra Pradesh assembly Speaker Kiran Kumar Reddy Tuesday suspended 44 legislators of the main opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) from the house for one day for stalling the proceedings over the issue of curbs on media in assembly premises.
The speaker announced the suspension of the opposition legislators when they insisted on a debate on certain curbs imposed on media by the speaker.
The TDP legislators rushed to the speaker's podium after he disallowed the adjournment motion on the issue.
The speaker clarified that a decision to regulate media coverage in the assembly premises was taken by the business advisory committee in consultation with opposition parties. He also agreed to reconsider the issue after 15 days but TDP legislators insisted on an immediate debate.
Amid the din, the speaker made repeated appeals to the members to resume their seats and restore order. As the pandemonium continued, Legislative Affairs Minister K.Rosaiah moved a resolution for suspending 44 legislators for three days. The speaker, however, suspended the members for one day.
The suspended members later staged a protest in front of the speaker's chambers in the assembly premises.