Assembly Stalled Again

For the second day on Saturday, proceedings in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly were stalled again by the Opposition.

The House witnessed unruly scenes with the Opposition sticking to their demand of scrapping of cases against students among other issues raised by them in the form of adjournment motion, but Deputy Speaker Nadendla Manohar disallowed them, and adjourned the House.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) members reached the podium, and raised slogans for lifting of the cases against students. Despite the Deputy Speaker assuring the members that Home Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy was in the council, the protests continued.

The Deputy Speaker also tried to pacify them saying that the House must discuss the issues on farmers, but the unrelenting members were firm on their demand. At this stage, Manohar was left with no alternative, but to adjourn the House for a second time.

Earlier, as soon as the Assembly began, the entire Opposition sought adjournment motions on various issues. Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members wanted a debate on sale of discoloured rice and compensation to farmers, while Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) Floor Leader Akbaruddin Owaisi sought scrapping of cases against accused from the Muslim community in the Mecca Masjid bomb blast case.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Floor Leader G Kishen Reddy raised the issue of increase in pay for home guards, while the Communist Party of India (CPI) and TRS demanded a debate on scrapping of cases against students.

Finding that he had to resort to frequent adjournments of the House, Manohar invited the Floor Leaders to his chambers, and urged them for smooth conduct of proceedings on the second day.

As soon as the House met, the members of the Opposition, however, were back on their feet, raising slogans in support of their demands.

After tabling 3 bills, one on MFI, one on Indira Kranthi Pathakam and another on GHMC, the House was adjourned to Monday amidst protests by the Opposition.

Courtesy: INN