Protests Hold Up Assembly

The State Legislative Assembly was adjourned on Friday without transacting any business following uproar created by opposition parties over different issues.

As soon as the House met at 9am on Friday, opposition parties gave notices for adjournment motions on several issues to Speaker Nadendla Manohar. TDP wanted a discussion on the drinking-water problem in rural areas, the TRS and independent member Nagam Janardhan Reddy wanted the government's statement on the arrests of Telangana activists during the sadak bandh programme, the YSR Congress party raised the issue of handloom weavers; the CPI insisted on a debate on problems being faced by Anganwadi workers, the BJP wanted a Telangana resolution in Assembly, and the CPI(M) demanded a discussion on the Mid-Day meal scheme funds.

However, the Speaker disallowed all the adjournment motions. Following the Speaker's refusal, the TRS MLAs, who came to the House wearing black T-shirts, surrounded the podium. They were backed by Venugopal Chary and Harishwar Reddy of TDP and Nagam Janardhan Reddy. They did not listen to Speaker's repeated requests to resume their seats. At about 9.05am, the House was adjourned for half-an-hour.

Similar scenes were repeated when the House re-assembled at about 10.17am. While the TRS and TDP members gathered around Speaker's podium, the YSRCP, CPI, CPI(M) and BJP MLAs continued protests while standing on their seats.

Meanwhile, the Speaker announced that all questions listed for Question Hour were deemed to have been answered. Later, Finance Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy presented Supplementary Estimates of Expenditure for 2012-2013, seeking a sum not exceeding Rs. 10904,67,56,000 for further expenditure in the year 2012-2013 as per the Heads of Demands.

The uproar by the opposition parties continued despite repeated requests by the Speaker to restore normalcy. This again led to adjournment of the House at about 10.24am for another half-an-hour.

The TRS members continued their protest when the House re-assembled at about 11.37am. They insisted that Home Minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy give a statement on the arrests made during sadak bandh agitation held on Thursday. However, the Speaker said that the Home Minister will make the statement on Saturday.

Following no signs of returning of normalcy, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day till Saturday. (INN)