Thu Mar 20 08:12:31 UTC 2025: **Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Condemns YSRCP MLAs’ Absenteeism**
Vijayawada, March 20, 2025 – Andhra Pradesh Assembly Speaker Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu has strongly criticized seven YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLAs for their continued absence from the Budget session. The Speaker accused the MLAs – Y. Bala Nagi Reddy, Thatiparthi Chandrasekhar, R. Matsyalingam, B. Virupakshi, M. Visweswara Raju, Akepati Amarnath Reddy, and Dasari Sudha – of marking their attendance fraudulently on various dates while failing to participate in Assembly proceedings.
This action follows the YSRCP’s boycott of the session since February 25th, in protest of the denial of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) status to former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Eleven YSRCP MLAs, including Reddy, are participating in the boycott.
Speaker Patrudu stated that the MLAs’ actions undermine their role as representatives of their constituencies. He issued a previous ruling threatening action against the MLAs for spreading misinformation regarding the LoP designation. While the MLAs attended the Governor’s address on February 24th, they have since avoided the Assembly sessions. Patrudu left the ultimate judgment of their conduct to their consciences.
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