Assembly, Council Remain Paralysed Over Telangana Bill

The Andhra Pradesh State Legislative Assembly and Council could not carry out any business on Tuesday, following the ruckus over the Telangana Bill.

As soon as the House met on Tuesday at 9am, the Seemandhra MLAs of YSRCP and TDP surrounded the podium of Speaker Nadendla Manohar raising slogans of 'Jai Samaikyandhra'.

The TRS members countered them by raising 'Jai Telangana' slogans, standing at their respective places.

However, the situation turned tense when TRS deputy floor leader T Harish Rao snatched away a placard held by a YSRCP member.

This led to jostling and heckling near the podium.

Amidst the furore, the Speaker announced that 3 adjournment motion notices moved by the YSRCP, TDP and CPI (M) were being disallowed.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy and Leader of the Opposition N Chandrababu Naidu were present in the House.

About 3 minutes after the session began, the Speaker adjourned the House till the conduct of Business Advisory Committee meeting.

The House reassembled only at 3.20am.

Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy tabled AP Physical Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill, 2013, and about a minute later, the Speaker adjourned the House till Wednesday.

Similar scenes were witnessed in the Legislative Council with members of both Seemandhra and Telangana region resorting to slogan shouting in favour and against Telangana.

Following pandemonium, Council Chairman Dr. A Chakrapani adjourned the House for a brief period to conduct the BAC meeting.

However, the Council's BAC meeting, which lasted for almost 3 hours, remained inconclusive on the debate over the Telangana Bill.

Congress MLC Yadav Reddy and the Finance Minister reportedly had an argument over the issue, after the latter suggested that the listed agenda be discussed in the council, and a special session be convened from December 29 to debate the Bill.

However, Yadav Reddy insisted that the House debate the Telangana Bill first, and set aside the regular agenda.

After the BAC meet, the Council met again only to be adjourned till Wednesday. (INN)