Andhra Pradesh Assembly: YSRCP Disrupts Session

The second day of the monsoon session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, too, saw no peace as the main Opposition party, the YSR Congress, refused to tone down its animosity.

As soon as the session commenced, the YSR Congress MLAs rushed to the podium clad in black shirts to symbolize their protest against the Centre's announcement of a special package for Andhra Pradesh that did not include Special Status. Before the address by the Leader Of The House could begin, Opposition leaders including Peddi Reddy Ramachandra Reddy demanded that the House organize a debate on Special Status immediately.

Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu interrupted them and suggested that they raise the issue only after the Chief Minister and Leader Of The House N Chandrababu Naidu addressed the House. However, the Opposition party members did not relent, insisting on conducting the debate before the CM's address.

The ruling party and the Opposition party argued over this, leading to a commotion. The atmosphere soon turned chaotic as the Opposition members stormed the Speaker's podium, pulled out his mike and shouted slogans against the Chief Minister, reacting to which the marshals of the House intervened and tried to stop the irate members, leading to a scuffle.

Speaker Kodela Siva Prasad Rao slammed the Opposition members for their behaviour, and urged them to stick to the decorum that befitted the House's traditions. Rao then adjourned the proceedings for 10 minutes as the uproar refused to die down.

After the House reassembled at 11 am, the agitating YSR Congress MLAs surrounded the Speaker's chair again and threw papers at the presiding officer. Exasperated over the ruckus, the Speaker once again adjourned the House for another 15 minutes.

Reacting to this, the finance minister said that the Opposition members would break the protocol at every opportunity they got. He accused them of disrespecting the House and ignoring the rule that all discussions should follow the initial address of the Leader Of The House.

"This behaviour is totally unbecoming of any political party," he lamented.

Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, the protesting MLAs said that the Speaker adjourning the House and not giving them a chance to speak was totally unjustified.