Hyderabad, March 18: The Congress government in Andhra Pradesh continued to face the heat of a combined opposition onslaught in the Assembly for the third consecutive day today as the latter stalled proceedings demanding constitution of a Joint Legislature Committee (JLC) to probe the various land deals since 2004.
Assurance by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy that the government would make a statement in the Assembly on Monday on the controversial land allotments did not satisfy main opposition Telugu Desam Party. The TDP MLAs, who stormed the Speaker’s podium demanding a JLC, forced adjournment of the proceedings twice this morning.
As soon as the House assembled this morning, the TDP members trooped into the Well of the House holding placards and demanding that the JLC be formed to probe the controversial land allotments. The CPI(M) and the CPI supported the demand.
Officiating Speaker Nadendla Manohar repeatedly appealed to the members to ensure order in the House but to no avail. This led to the first adjournment for 15 minutes.
When the House re-assembled after 70 minutes, the TDP legislators were on their feet again with their demand. The Chief Minister intervened to tell the House that the government would not only review the land allotments case by case but also the entire allotment policy.
“We are committed on the issue. We shall make a statement on the issue on Monday,” he said. Leader of Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu wanted the government to take back excess land allotted to various projects.
Lok Satta Party MLA N Jayaprakash Narayan too made a similar demand and also sought a House Committee to probe the land deals. CPI(M) leader J Ranga Reddy, CPI leader G Mallesh and BJP leader G Kishan Reddy too demanded constitution of a JLC.
The government, however, appeared in no mood to concede to the demand of the opposition and indicated that it was ready only for a discussion on the issue in the House. Not satisfied with the government assurance, the TDP MLAs once again stormed the Speaker’s podium forcing the second adjournment for 30 minutes.
–Agencies