Uproar in AP Assembly over Special status; YSRCP members go berserk

Hyderabad, Sept.9: Unruly scenes rocked the Andhra Pradesh Assembly on the second day of the Monsoon session today with the Opposition YSRCP members and Marshals pushed each other leading to adjournment of the House. As soon as the House met on Friday morning, YSRCP member Peddi Reddy Ramachandra Reddy demanded that the House first take up debate on the burning issue of the Centre’s denial of granting special status to the State. Intervening, Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu suggested to the Opposition members that discussion on the special status may be taken up after Chief Minister and Leader of the House N Chandrababu Naidu’s statement in the House. However, the YSRCP members insisted that debate should take place first and CM’s statement next. With this, the atmosphere in the Assembly suddenly changed with the Opposition members stormed the Speaker’s podium, pulled out his mike and shouted slogans against the Chief Minister. The Marshals of the House intervened and tried to pacify the irate members leading to manhandling between the both. The disorderly situation remained unchanged even though Speaker Kodela Sivaprasada Rao appealed to the Opposition members not to violate the traditions and conventions of the august House and refrain from violent behaviour towards the Marshals. Expressing concern over the unruly situation in the House, the Speaker bemoaned that the Opposition members storming the podium and pushing away the Marshals was not good. They need to respect the Chair. As his advice fell on deaf ears and situation remained unchanged, the Speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes. When the House re-assembled at 11am after the adjournment, the Opposition members surrounded the Speaker’s chair and threw papers at the presiding officer. Exasperated over the unruly situation, the Speaker once again adjourned the House for another 15 minutes. Reacting to the situation, Government Chief Whip Kalva Srinivasulu said the YSRCP members have no sincerity and unaware of the rules of the Assembly. He appealed to the Opposition members remain calm. But the YSRCP members marched towards the podium and created a scene. Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu said the Opposition members do not know the rules of the House that discussion follows only after the Leader of the House makes a statement. “Assembly is not Lotus Pond and its rules don’t apply in the House. Earlier, YSRCP MLAs reached the Assembly clad in black shirts to register their protest against the Centre’s decision to grant only financial assistance and not special status. Speaking to the media outside the Assembly, YSRCP MLAs said the adjournment of the House shows the adamant attitude of the State government in not giving a chance to the Opposition to speak in the Assembly. They also termed the Speaker’s refusal for a discussion as totally unjustified