Fights In AP Assembly Over English Medium In Schools

The Andhra Pradesh Assembly session on Wednesday witnessed a heated exchange of words between the ruling YSR Congress Party MLAs and the Opposition TDP MLAs over the introduction of English medium in all the government schools in the State.

Speaking on the issue, Leader of Opposition Chandrababu Naidu clarified that he was not against the introduction of English medium in schools. He also pointed out to the House that his government had in fact previously introduced English medium education in all the municipal schools in the State, and that YSRCP leader and Chief Minister Jaganmohan Reddy, through his Sakshi newspaper, had opposed that move of his government then.

Jagan however countered that Naidu was against English medium education for the poor, and that he had weakened government schools when he was in power to help private schools owned by the then minister Narayana.

Earlier, angry exchanges had erupted between the TDP MLAs and Speaker Tammineni Sitaram following the latter's declining of the request by the former to take up discussions on the issue of the English medium education. They also entered into an argument with the Speaker prompting him to make angry comments.

At this juncture, Naidu asked the Speaker to talk politely with his party members, and reportedly used some objectionable language against the Speaker, enraging the ruling party leaders who hurled abuses and expletives at the TDP MLAs. The Speaker asked Naidu to withdraw his statement as it was objectionable and insulting to the chair.