Andhra Pradesh assembly Speaker Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu on Thursday lamented the decline in political civility, stating that present-day politics is starkly different from the past.
Recalling earlier times, the Speaker said leaders across party lines once maintained cordial relations and mutual respect despite political differences. However, he observed that such a culture is largely absent in current political discourse.
Ayyanna Patrudu alleged that former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy treats leaders from other parties as enemies.
In contrast, he said Jagan’s father and former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy (YSR) treated leaders from all parties with respect.
“There is no comparison between Jagan and YSR in this regard,” he remarked.
Sharing an anecdote, the Speaker recalled an event held years ago in Visakhapatnam for the inauguration of Rama Naidu Studios. While he was seated in the front row, YSR noticed him and invited him to the stage.
When he hesitated to go, YSR reportedly instructed officials to escort him to the stage with proper protocol as an MLA.
“I still chose not to go to the stage, but after the event YSR personally approached me, greeted me warmly and asked him to meet if he needed any help,” Ayyanna recalled.
In another instance, the Speaker recalled that a friend required Rs 20 lakh urgently for a medical operation.
After arranging Rs 5 lakh himself, he approached then chief minister YSR for assistance, who sanctioned the remaining amount through the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He said YSR was a friendly leader who maintained personal relationships beyond party lines, unlike the current political environment where opponents are often treated as adversaries.
Referring to the present assembly situation, Ayyanna Patrudu clarified that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) does not have sufficient numbers to qualify for the official Opposition status.
“The party has been given only 11 seats by the people. Under such circumstances, I do not have the authority to grant Opposition status,” he said.
He also appealed to YSRCP MLAs to attend the assembly sessions, adding that repeated requests had been made but they were not turning up.
