Senior legislator and Telugu Desam Party’s Andhra Pradesh unit president K Atchannaidu on Tuesday expressed regrets over his comments against state assembly speaker Tammineni Sitaram in July.
Atchan appeared before the privileges committee of the state assembly headed by YSR Congress MLA Kakani Goverdhan Reddy, as per the summons issued to him by the committee last month.
The committee had asked him to appear in person as it was not satisfied with his reply given in regards to the allegations levelled against the Speaker.
“Since his written explanation was not satisfactory, the committed directed him to appear in person,” Goverdhan Reddy said.
Atchan is learnt to have a lengthy explanation to the committee over the context in which he had to make the remarks.
He reportedly told the committee that the press note with his alleged remarks was released to the media inadvertently without his signature.
He formally apologized for his remarks made against the Speaker and said he was withdrawing his comments.
Goverdhan Reddy told the media that Atchannaidu had withdrawn his remarks and stated that his press note had accidentally come out. Kakani said that Atchannaidu's statement would be sent to the committee members soon.
“A decision will be taken based on the views of all the committee members,” he said.
Another TDP leader Koona Ravikumar, who also allegedly made comments against the Speaker, was not available to meet the committee and would be given another chance to appear before the Committee.
A decision would be taken on former state election commissioner Nimmagadda Ramesh and TDP legislator Nimmala Ramanaidu, who are also facing privilege notices, at a meeting to be held on September 21.