Discussion on land deals put off for tomorrow amid uproar in state assembly

Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Thursday got a discussion on controversial land deals put off to Friday after the ruling party members did not allow opposition Telugu Desam Party MLA A Revanth Reddy to speak.

Revanth was the target of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's attack as the latter made a statement on the land deals that happened during the previous Congress rule.

When Revanth rose to speak, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti members prevented him demanding that he first tender an apology "for misleading the House" on the power issue.

The proceedings were adjourned for half-an-hour as the TRS members were on their feet demanding an apology from Revanth, but the House reassembled only after two hours.

Speaker S Madhusudanachari then announced that a discussion would be taken up on social security pensions issue on which the CM had made a statement in the House on Wednesday.

The land deals issue was raised through a Call Attention motion by TRS member G Balaraju seeking "clarifications" from the government.

The Chief Minister utilised the opportunity to rebut the allegations made (outside the House) by TDP MLA Revanth Reddy and attacked the latter without actually naming him.

The CM said his government's hands were clean as all deals were executed during the previous Congress' tenure.

He said all files, including the base and note files, related to the land deals around Hyderabad would be placed before the Speaker so that any member could scrutinise them.

"...we are ready for a detailed discussion on the subject," the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister remarked: "Anybody can make allegations but it is their responsibility to prove them. If they cannot prove (the allegations), such members should be expelled from the House. Every party should support this to uphold dignity of the House. Power is not permanent," he said.

He went on to demand an "unconditional apology" from those who made baseless allegations.

"They should first apologise for misleading the House and only then take part in the proceedings," the CM said.

"Is it the way of degradation of public life," he angrily questioned, referring indirectly to the allegations made by the TDP member.

"How painful it is that they are bent on tarnishing the Chief Minister and his family members? I have come to this position with the blessings of people. I even staked my life for achieving statehood for Telangana. People have given us their mandate to lead the new state on the path of development. We are not here by nomination," KCR observed.

After the Chief Minister concluded his statement, Revanth rose to speak on his party's behalf, but the TRS legislators too stood up and tried to boo him.

Education Minister Jagadish Reddy said Revanth should first tender an apology to the House for making "misleading statements" on the power issue by supporting the claims of the neighbouring state (Andhra Pradesh).

Legislative Affairs Minister T Harish Rao also supported Jagadish and other TRS MLAs.

However, the Speaker asked Revanth to speak but the treasury benches were in no mood to concede.

The Speaker then adjourned the House for 30 minutes. When the House reassembled, discussion on the Call Attention motion was not taken up and instead the pensions issue was taken up.

Though Opposition members raised an objection over this, the Chief Minister said the pensions scheme was a more pressing subject of public importance and the lands issue could be taken up tomorrow.

The Speaker announced that discussion on the Call Attention motion would be taken up immediately after Question Hour tomorrow.