The Special Status Issue rocked the Andhra Pradesh Assembly again on Saturday, the third day of the Monsoon session, and adjourned indefinitely without transacting any business for the third consecutive day.
Soon after the session began, the Opposition YSRCP legislators, clad in black and holding placards, surrounded the Speaker’s chair and raised slogans saying special status was Andhra’s legitimate right. But the government maintained that the debate could be taken up only after a statement by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Minister Achchan Naidu lashed out at the protestors saying that they violated the honour of the august House with their frenzied behavior. Chief Whip Kalva Srinivasulu charged the Opposition members with transforming the House into a hell and urged Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao to take stern action against the unruly members.
A scuffle broke out again as women marshals tried to prevent YSRCP women legislators from moving closer to the Speaker. The protesting MLAs, some of them standing on benches in front of Speaker’s podium, tore papers and threw pieces at the presiding officer. With the Opposition continuing its protest, the Speaker adjourned the House for 10 minutes. After the House re-assembled, there was no let-up in the protest.
Exasperated with the fanatic behaviour of the YSRCP members, BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar said the functioning of the protesting members in the House was “atrocious”. He also urged the Speaker to initiate tough action against the unruly members who misbehaved with the legislature officials and hurling chairs and desks. He pleaded with the Speaker to suspend from the House who behaved as street rowdies on Friday.
Legislative Affairs Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu condemned the unruly behaviour of the YSRCP members in the House from the day one of the session. He said he has not seen such violent incidents in the House in his 34 years career as legislator. They are not even agreeing to allow condolence resolutions. He urged the Speaker to forward pictures of violence incidents to the House Privileges Committee for appropriate action. He moved a resolution condemning the attack on Speaker, marshals and other staff of the legislature. The speaker announced that the resolution was passed by a voice vote. Yanamala also demanded that Leader of the Opposition Y S Jaganmohan Reddy take the responsibility for the unruly incidents which disrupted the proceedings in the House during last three days.
Earlier, Jaganmohan Reddy lodged his strong protest when his mike was cut as he rose to speak. Kodela Sivaprasad Rao remarked that the House cannot be run as Jagan likes. “I have not seen this sort of conduct by members in my entire political career. If necessary, they should be suspended permanently,” he said. As the uproar continued, the Speaker adjourned the House sine die.
Talking to mediapersons, Jaganmohan Reddy alleged that Chandrababu Naidu bartered the State’s interests to the Centre to wriggle himself out of ‘cash for votes’ case in Telangana as he was caught ‘red-handed’. Tension also prevailed at the Assembly media point when TDP members tried to disrupt the media conference of YSRCP members. There was pushing and jostling between the two sides. Police intervened and brought the situation under control. (NSS)