AP Speakers in Trouble: From Kodela to Tammineni, Controversies Continue

Has the Speaker's chair in bifurcated Andhra Pradesh turned out to be unlucky for those who occupy it? This has now become a major topic of discussion in Andhra Pradesh politics. After the bifurcation of the state, senior leader Kodela Siva Prasada Rao became the first Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He successfully completed his five-year tenure. However, in the 2019 Assembly elections, he lost his seat as an MLA. After the TDP was defeated in the elections, the then-ruling YSRCP levelled serious allegations against him. It was alleged that, during his tenure as Speaker, he had shifted furniture from the Assembly to his son's showroom and his residence. The YSRCP government at the time also registered a case in connection with the allegations, triggering a major political controversy. Responding to the allegations, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao admitted that some furniture had indeed been taken. He said he had written letters asking the authorities to take it back and added that, if that was not possible, he was willing to pay its assessed value. He alleged that a deliberate smear campaign was being carried out against him.

Amid the controversy and several other issues, Kodela died by suicide on September 16, 2019. The incident created a huge sensation in both Telugu states, as very few had expected a leader of Kodela Siva Prasada Rao's stature to take such a step. During the YSRCP regime after the state's bifurcation, another senior leader, Tammineni Sitaram, became the second Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly. Now, reports claiming that Tammineni Sitaram's entire family is absconding have created a fresh political storm. A case has been registered against members of Tammineni's family alleging that they fraudulently transferred ownership of land worth ₹4 crore into their names using forged documents. The case alleges that fake records were created declaring living persons as deceased in order to facilitate the transfer of the land. Fearing arrest, the entire Tammineni family reportedly fled with their family members in the early hours of Monday.

While a former Speaker being embroiled in allegations of land grabbing is itself a serious issue, reports that his entire family has gone into hiding have further intensified the controversy. Political circles are now debating what could be more humiliating for someone who has held the constitutional office of Speaker. After bifurcation, the first Andhra Pradesh Speaker, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, faced allegations of stealing Assembly furniture and later died by suicide. Now, the second Speaker is facing allegations of grabbing land using forged documents, with reports claiming that his entire family is absconding. Politicians are generally known to believe strongly in political sentiments. Even in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, there was a widespread belief that those who served as Speaker or held charge of the Endowments Department often failed to win subsequent elections. Although this sentiment has occasionally been disproved, there have been many instances where those who held these positions encountered political setbacks. Now, both individuals who have served consecutively as Speakers of Andhra Pradesh after the state's bifurcation have found themselves embroiled in controversies.