The nationwide general strike by the Central trade unions echoed the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council on Wednesday. The Opposition staged a walk-out from the House after stalling the proceedings for half-an-hour.
Demanding solidarity with the general strike by the labour unions and their charter of demands and to pass a unanimous resolution by the House to that effect, the CPI, PDF, Congress and YSR Congress members walked out of the House. Immediately after the House assembled for the day, Chairman A. Chakrapani disallowed an adjournment motion notice served by CPI floor leader P J Chandrasekhar and PDF member M. Geyanand on the issue. However the Chairman allowed the CPI and PDF members to speak on the issue.
While explaining his point of view, the CPI leader said more than 15 crore workers of various sectors and affiliated to different trade unions are on the streets in support of their charter of demands, including withdrawal of proposed amendments to the Labour Acts by the Union government. The Opposition leaders said it was the responsibility of the House to express solidarity with the working class and demanded that the House adopt a unanimous resolution and forward it to the Centre.
The Chairman said it was improper to adopt a resolution without a proper notice served by the members and the government too agreed to discuss the matter if the members gave a proper notice to the satisfaction of the Chair. However, the Chairman, taking the mood of the House into consideration, proposed a resolution saying that “Every government should be sympathetic to the working class and this House expresses its solidarity with the general strike”. The House adopted it unanimously.
The Opposition said the resolution should be forwarded to the Centre by the State Government as the former declined to agree. Then, the Opposition parties, led by CPI leader Chandrasekhar, staged a walk-out in protest against the government’s refusal to give any commitment. (NSS)