Hyderabad, August 28Congress, TD members trade charges
: A heated debate took place on the arrest of TD P MLA TV Rama Rao with members of TDP and ruling Congress indulging in slanging match against each other. The Congress alleged that the TDP member was resorting to mudslinging against the Congress Government to cover up his `mistake’, while the MLA claimed that he was innocent.
He alleged that the Congress Government had conspired against him for his refusal to join the ruling party after elections.
The Government has even warned him of action if found guilty after completion of the investigation.
TDP members, including their leader N Chandrababu Naidu, were seen agitated for abrupt adjournment of the House for the day even before seeking clarifications or to respond to the Government’s statement on Rama Rao’s issue which was taken up under Rule 344. The issue would come up again in the Assembly tomorrow.
It may be recalled that the Kovvur MLA was booked under a case for alleged rape and murder of one Kerala student of Spruha Nursing College in Nidadavole town on June 18.
Rama Rao charged that the local Congress leaders of Kovvur segment have conspired against him by implicating him under false charges.
Repeatedly claiming that he was innocent, he urged the Chair to protect him and his family members . “Being a Dalit MLA, I am being harassed and abused by the Congress leaders.
I am in a helpless position. Injustice is being done to me by framing me under false charges.
Local Congress leaders and Sakshi reporter has blackmailed me. Please do justice to me,’’ he lamented.
Home Minister P Sabitha, making a statement on the issue, narrated the incident that took place on June 18. As per the investigating officer, the TD P MLA was liable for Sections relating to outraging the modesty of girls studying B. Sc Nursing in his college (IPC 354), wrongful restraint and confinement in the college (IPC 341 and 342), criminal intimidation (IPC 506), insulting the modesty of a woman (IPC 509) and forcibly taking away cell phones (IPC 384) of girl students.
The Home Minister found fault with Opposition leader Chandrababu Naidu for defending his party MLA and for making allegations against the Kerala girl students that the latter were lured with money to give `false’ statements against Rama Rao.
She also questioned the Kovvur MLA for the reasons to hide behind a water tank on the day of incident. As soon as the minister completed her reply, the House was adjourned for the day.
The House witnessed acrimonious scenes when the TDP members agitated for abrupt adjournment of the House.
–Agencies–